Retrieval of ventricular catheter with the aid of endoscopy: technical note.

Multilocular hydrocephalus usually requires placement of multiple ventricular catheters for the treatment of secondary cysts and intraventricular septation. The formation of strong adhesions can embed the catheters so that they cannot be removed without a higher risk of intraventricular hemorrhage. Moreover, the devices could represent a nidus for infection and a risk for formation and enlargement of intraventricular secondary cysts. Neuroendoscopy allows the surgeon safely to reach the ventricular catheters that have been left or lost in the ventricular cavity, and to remove them via a minimally invasive approach. In this paper, the authors document another application of ventricular endoscopy in the management of this kind of hydrocephalus. The removal of an unnecessary and no longer useful prosthetic device that is a possible focus of infection justifies endoscopic treatment, which, in this experience, is not associated with morbidity.