%0 Journal Article %T Neuroendoscopic Resection of Intraventricular Tumors and Cysts through a Working Channel with a Variable Aspiration Tissue Resector: A Feasibility and Safety Study %A Edjah Kweku-Ebura Nduom %A Eric A. Sribnick %A D. Ryan Ormond %A Costas G. Hadjipanayis %J Minimally Invasive Surgery %D 2013 %I Hindawi Publishing Corporation %R 10.1155/2013/471805 %X Pure neuroendoscopic resection of intraventricular lesions through a burr hole is limited by the instrumentation that can be used with a working channel endoscope. We describe a safety and feasibility study of a variable aspiration tissue resector, for the resection of a variety of intraventricular lesions. Our initial experience using the variable aspiration tissue resector involved 16 patients with a variety of intraventricular tumors or cysts. Nine patients (56%) presented with obstructive hydrocephalus. Patient ages ranged from 20 to 88 years (mean 44.2). All patients were operated on through a frontal burr hole, using a working channel endoscope. A total of 4 tumors were resected in a gross total fashion and the remaining intraventricular lesions were subtotally resected. Fifteen of 16 patients had relief of their preoperative symptoms. The 9 patients who presented with obstructive hydrocephalus had restoration of cerebrospinal fluid flow though one required a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. Three patients required repeat endoscopic resections. Use of a variable aspiration tissue resector provides the ability to resect a variety of intraventricular lesions in a safe, controlled manner through a working channel endoscope. Larger intraventricular tumors continue to pose a challenge for complete removal of intraventricular lesions. 1. Introduction The resection of lesions within the ventricular system presents a challenge to neurosurgeons. The deep location of intraventricular tumors or cysts can lead to neurological sequelae before or after surgery. With the use of the operative microscope, most lesions of the lateral and third ventricles are accessed by a craniotomy and either a transcortical or interhemispheric transcallosal approach. These approaches are associated with brain retraction that can result in seizures, focal neurologic deficits, and cognitive impairment. A pure neuroendoscopic approach for the management of intraventricular lesions has been described and remains a minimally invasive approach that avoids brain retraction and provides direct lesion visualization [1, 2]. Access to the ventricular system through a burr hole and use of a working channel endoscope can permit endoscopic visualization of tumors and cysts that may be sampled or resected. Reestablishment of CSF communication pathways is also possible endoscopically when patients develop obstructive hydrocephalus due to their intraventricular pathology. The neuroendoscopic resection of intraventricular cysts and tumors is limited by the appropriate instrumentation that can be used %U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/mis/2013/471805/