Treatment of posterior third ventricular central neurocytoma with endoscopic biopsy, endoscopic third ventriculostomy and stereotactic radiosurgery.

Central neurocytomas of the posterior third ventricle are rare. These typically benign lesions have recently been shown to respond well to Gamma knife stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). We present the case of a posterior third ventricle central neurocytoma presenting with aqueduct obstruction. The patient was treated with endoscopic biopsy and endoscopic third ventriculostomy, followed by Gamma knife radiosurgery. At 2 years the tumor has diminished in size and the patient is neurologically intact. This treatment strategy may avoid the risk of open ventricular surgery and the need for shunts in patients with central neurocytomas of appropriate size and location.