Intraventricular tumor
Intraventricular tumor are rare and arise from periventricular structures such as the walls of the ventricular system, the septum pellucidum, and the choroid plexus. Many tumor types arise from, or can bulge into the ventricular system, although there are certain lesions that are relatively restricted to ventricles. A number of factors assist in defining the differential diagnosis, both radiological and clinical, including where the lesion is positioned within the ventricle as well as age and any associated conditions.
Pediatric Intraventricular Tumor
Fourth ventricle tumor
Third ventricle tumor
Neoplasms of the ventricular wall and septum pellucidum.
Subependymal giant cell astrocytoma
Neoplasms of the choroid plexus.
see choroid plexus tumors
Others Intraventricular hemangiopericytoma
Intraventricular oligodendroglioma
Intraventricular CNS lymphoma
Primary B cell lymphomas should always be included in the list of differential diagnosis of intraventricular tumors 1)
medulloblastoma
primitive neuroectodermal tumour
sarcoma
intraventricular teratoma
Non-neoplastic lesions
colloid cysts
neurocysticercosis
intracranial hydatid cyst
See also
syndrome of the trigone
Lateral ventricle tumor
Diagnosis
Differential diagnosis
Treatment
The deep location and eloquent surroundings of the ventricular system within the brain have historically posed significant and often formidable challenges for the optimal resection of tumors in these locations.
The evolution and advances in microsurgical techniques and neuroanatomic knowledge have led to a general paradigm shift from transcerebral trajectories to transcisternal corridor strategies. The essence of microsurgery of the ventricular system has evolved around the concept of circumnavigating eloquent cortical and white matter structures to achieve minimally invasive access and resection while optimizing functional and cognitive outcomes 2).
Intraventricular tumors are ideal indications for neuroendoscopic surgery. They often cause cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pathway obstruction, resulting in ventricular dilation, which provides sufficient space for maneuvering with the endoscope.
The general principle of the endoscopic removal of intraventricular tumors is interruption of the blood supply to the tumor and subsequent tumor debulking. In general, a piecemeal resection is performed; however, in some tumors, it is possible to detach the lesion from the surrounding brain tissue and remove it in toto. In unilateral hydrocephalus caused by obstruction of one foramen of Monro, the burr hole is placed more laterally to get good access to the foramen for biopsy and to the septum for septostomy. When the tumor arises in the anterior part of the third ventricle, the burr hole is made at the coronal suture. When the tumor is located in the posterior part, the entry point is selected more anteriorly in order to pass the foramen of Monro in a straight line. In pineal region tumors, which cause occlusive hydrocephalus due to aqueductal compression, third ventriculostomy as well as tumor biopsy are required 3).
The endoscopic approach should be tailored according to localization of the lesion and ventricular size. The complete excision of intraventricular lesions is often impossible with the endoscope, but biopsies allow diagnoses to be obtained in almost all cases 4).
Endoscopic surgery
In select patients, complete endoscopic removal of solid intraventricular brain tumors is possible and safe. Factors that influence the ability of a surgeon to perform a complete endoscopic resection include tumor size, composition, and vascularity. The procedure requires careful patient selection, the use of refined endoscopic instrumentation, and a disciplined surgical technique 5).
Recommended Literature
6).