Introduction:
For many years, the VP shunt was the main treatment of hydrocephalus till the recent advances in the neuroendoscopic applications. The use of the endoscopic third ventriculostomy provides an ideal treatment without complications of the traditional shunts. However, it can be challenging in the age group below 2 years as the results are unexpected and different from the adult group. Our aim in this study is to assess the results of the ETV in children below 2 years; we analyzed the children data and its relation to the outcome. We also, reported the complications happened during and after the procedure.
Patients & methods:
A retrospective and prospective study was carried out on twenty-one children who had hydrocephalus. An ETV was done for them using the (Karl Storz) neuroendoscopy between April 2012 and September 2014. All of them had an aqueductal stenosis. Follow- up CT was done for all children, one month and one year after the procedure.
Results:
Their age ranged from 6 months to just below two years, with the mean age was 14.5 ± 5.2 months. They were 15 males and six females. The overall success rate was 66.6% with the mean follow-up period of 18 months. VP shunt was inserted in 5 babies due to the ETV failure, one case of CSF leak and one case died due to intracranial hemorrhage.
Conclusion:
Our study showed the effectiveness of ETV in children less than two years with a primary aqueductal stenosis in general with reasonable complications. It is safe and effective method for treating hydrocephalus in this age group without confrontation of VP shunt and its hazards. ETV scoring system (ETVSS) is beneficial in predicting the ETV success rate.