TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS WITH 3RD VENTRICULOCISTERNOSTOMY - OUTCOMEAND CSF FLOW PATTERNS

Third ventriculocisternostomy was performed in 23 patients for managem ent of hydrocephalus. The procedure was offered as the first treatment in 18 cases and in lieu of a shunt revision in 4 cases. Median follow -up was 17 months (range 7-44 months), In 16 patients the operation wa s successful in treating their symptoms (73%), Cine MRI was helpful in evaluating patients with persistent ventriculomegaly, Resolution of s ymptoms in association with decreased ventricular size correlated best with outcome following this procedure, Third ventriculocisternostomy is technically safe and minimally invasive and should be offered as th e first procedure in the management of noncommunicating hydrocephalus.