Clinical evaluation of neuroendoscopic treatment in intraventricular infection with hydrocephalus: an analysis of 27 cases

Objective To present our experiences of treatment of intraventricular infection complicated with hydrocephalus by neuroendoscopic approach. Methods A retrospective review of clinical data of 27 patients with severe intraventricular infection complicated with hydrocephalus treated under neuroendoscope at our hospitals from January 2011 and December 2014 was performed. All patients were diagnosed by clinical menifestations and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, and operations including ventricular drainage, eliminate intraventricular pus, third ventriculostomy and septostomy were done by one senior surgeon. The neuroendoscopic techniques and clinical outcomes were analyzed. Results Preoperative cerebrospinal fluid analysis in all patients presented with decreased glucose level and increased white cell counts up to 1 500×106/L. Cerebrospinal fluid glucose levels of 23 patients (85.2%) were higher than 3 mmol/L (reference value: 2.5-4.5 mmol/L) and body temperature of 22 patients (81.4%) returned to normal level in one week after surgery; 24 patients (88.9%) showed improvement in hydrocephalus; death was noted in one patient (0.04%). Conclusions Neuroendoscopy has great advantage of broad vision. Intraventricular structure and pathology can be clearly observed with neuroendoscopy. Our experience in treating intraventricular infection and hydrocephalus by neuroendoscopic method has great effectiveness. Key words: Neuroendoscope; Intraventricular infection; Hydrocephalus