Endoscopic options in children: experience with 134 procedures

Abstract

Overall, endoscopy can be considered safe and effective in children. Based on the authors' data, acute hydrocephalus cases such as those caused by tumors are the best candidates for endoscopic CSF flow restoration. Interestingly, cyst openings to the ventricles or cisterns were the most successful endoscopic techniques with the lowest complication rate. Aqueductoplasty should be reserved for selected cases. Finally, the success rate of endoscopic techniques remains poor in infants<6 months of age; this was not only true of ETV, but also other techniques such as septostomy and aqueductoplasty.