Retrospective study shows improved shunt-free survival in infants with hydrocephalus from Chiari II malformation, suggesting a new treatment option.
Key Points
This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization for treating hydrocephalus in infants with Chiari II malformation.
Analyzed 53 infants under 12 months old with hydrocephalus post-myelomeningocele repair
All patients underwent ETV and bilateral CPC using a rigid endoscope
Success defined as shunt-free survival with improvement over a 12-month follow-up
Success rate of ETV + CPC correlated positively with age: 54% (<3 months), 63% (3-6 months), 67% (6-12 months)
Of 20 failures, 14 needed ventriculoperitoneal shunts and 6 required re-endoscopy for stoma closure
Meningitis occurred in 15% of infants, leading to VP shunt requirement for those affected