| Abstract | BACKGROUND: Endoscopy is used on different occasions-for instance, to open the floor of the third ventricule in triventricular hydrocephalus, to open a cyst into the cerebrospinal fluid circulation, for biopsy or for partial resection of some tumors, or to insert a shunt in hydrocephalus or syringohydromyelia. However, the use of endoscopes for evaluating and treating meningoceles remains to be assessed. METHODS: Five different kinds of rare meningoceles are presented. In each, neuroendoscopy was used as the main tool for exploration and treatment. RESULTS: Two sacral meningoceles and one oral cephalocele were cured through a keyhole opening under endoscopic control. One posterior sacral meningocele was explored and no communication with normal subarachnoid spaces was observed, allowing a simple suture of the posterior to the anterior walls. And, last, a complex case with three intrasacral meningocles was explored and partially treated. CONCLUSIONS: Meningocles with very small communication within the normal subarachnoid spaces appeared the most suitable to be cured by an endoscopic procedure. In case of a larger communication, the meningocele could be treated, or at least the morphology can be better understood, by using a keyhole procedure under endoscopic control. In all cases the surgery was of short duration (less than 1 hour) and very well tolerated. |
| Authors | C Raftopoulos, D Balériaux, S Hancq, J Closset, P David, J Brotchi
(Affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Erasme Hospital, Université Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium.)
|
| Journal | Surgical neurology
(Surg Neurol)
Vol. 44
Issue 4
Pg. 308-17; discussion 317-8
(Oct 1995)
ISSN: 0090-3019 UNITED STATES |
| PMID | 8553249
(Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)
|
| Topics |
- Adolescent
- Adult
- Arachnoid Cysts
(diagnosis, therapy)
- Encephalocele
(diagnosis, therapy)
- Endoscopy
(methods)
- Female
- Humans
- Male
- Meningocele
(diagnosis, therapy)
- Sacrococcygeal Region
|
