Abstract:
Objective To report our experiences in treatment of entrapped temporal horn (ETH) by endoscopic temporal horn ventriculostomy and stent implantation with the aid of virtual endoscopy and neuro navigation.
Methods Thirteen patients with ETH not caused by tumor who were treated by endoscopic temporal horn-ventriculostomy and metal stent implantation in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2009 to December 2016 were included in our study. The conception of virtual reality and 3D reconstruction software were applied to rebuild patients' ventricular system based on MRI data (included T1, T2 and 3D SPACE images) before surgery. The virtual endoscopy and neuro navigation were used to optimize the plan. The endoscopic temporal horn ventriculostomy and metal stent implantation were performed. The operation successful rate and the improvements of clinical symptoms were observed, and the volumes of the cysts on MR images before surgery, and at 4 months after surgery were reconstructed by 3D Slicer and quantitatively calculated to compare the volumetric changes as well.
Results There were 8 males and 5 females included in our study, with average age of (36.4.±15.0) years (range, 4-60 years). No procedure-related complication occurred, and all patients showed improvement of clinical symptoms without any stent-related technical complications.The mean follow-up time was (24.7±20.4) months (range, 4-59 months). The volume of ETH decreased significantly at 4 months after surgery when compared with before surgery (67.41±89.9) ml
vs (100.59±108.3) ml,
P=0.006, with an average decrease of (35.50±32.03)%. The volume of ETH in one patient remained unchanged but his symptoms relieved obviously. The volume of EHT decreased by 20.69% in one patient at 1 month after surgery, whereas it increased by 24.75% at 4 months after surgery when compared with before surgery. The aggravation of headache or the weakness of limbs did not occurred. This patient was still at work, and his MRI scans showed correct placement of the metal stent, whereas it occluded by the choroid plexus.
Conclusion With the aid of virtual endoscopy and neuro navigation, endoscopic temporal horn ventriculostomy and metal stent implantation shows efficacy in treatment of ETH.