Endoscopic transtentorial ventriculocystostomy and cystoventriculoperitoneal shunt in a neonate with Dandy-Walker malformation and associated aqueductal obstruction.

OBJECTIVE: Shunting of the lateral ventricle and the posterior fossa cyst is the advocated surgical therapy for children with Dandy-Walker malformation (DWM) and associated aqueductal obstruction. The high rate of complications of combined shunting stimulated the authors to search for an alternative surgical solution. CLINICAL PRESENTATION/INTERVENTION: After transtentorial endoscopic ventriculocystostomy, a cystoventricular catheter, connected to a peritoneal shunt, was placed in a neonate with DWM and associated aqueductal obstruction. Immediately prior to ventriculocystostomy, the presence of a blocked third ventricular outflow was reconfirmed by contrast medium injection. Neuronavigation was required to define the surgical path from the lateral ventricle through the tentorium and the overlying small rim of brain parenchyma into the posterior fossa cyst. The postoperative clinical course was uneventful with radiologically proven reduction of the size of the ventricular system and the cyst.
CONCLUSION: Cystoventriculoperitoneal shunt placement after transtentorial endoscopic ventriculostomy is a surgical alternative in very young children with DWM and associated aqueductal obstruction. Copyright 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.