Endoscopic Aqueductoplasty and Stenting for Isolated Fourth Ventricle

ABSTRACT

Isolated fourth ventricle(IFV) is a rare entity producing symptoms of a progressive posterior fossa mass lesion. It is mainly reported in a patient who undergo shunt placement as its late complication. However, its surgical management has been difficult and its optional treatment remains controversial. We had an occasion to admit 19-year-old female to our hospital due to hydrocephalus she had a history of meningitis when she was 2 years old. Ten years later, she was diagnosed as hydrocephalus and managed by lateral ventriculo-peritoneal shunting procedure. Seven years after the procedure, the patient presented with headache, nausea, truncal ataxia and nystagmus. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance image scan demonstrated markedly enlarged fourth ventricle and thus, neuroendoscopic aqueductoplasty and aqueductal stent insertion was performed. The authors present a case of an IFV after lateral ventriculo-peritoneal shunting for hydrocephalus, which was treated successfully with a neuroendoscopic surgery. The technique of this procedure is described below.