FLEXIBLE ENDOSCOPES IN TREATMENT OF COLLOID CYSTS OF THE 3RD VENTRICLE

Goals of treatment of colloid cysts of the third ventricle are relief of foraminal obstruction and prevention of recurrence. Both goals are perfectly met by microsurgical removal from a transfrontal-transventri cular or a transcallosal approach, however, with both approaches there are serious related complications. CT-guided stereotactic aspiration of colloid cysts is a simple method with low risk. Nevertheless, treat ment failures as well as a considerable late recurrence rate are repor ted. The CT-guided stereotactic endoscopic technique gives the opportu nity to widely open the cyst wall and aspirate the cyst fluid under di rect visual control, thereby reducing the risk of the procedure and du e to broad opening of the cyst wall refilling becomes less likely poss ible.