Is endoscopic third ventriculostomy safe and efficient in the treatment of obstructive chronic hydrocephalus in adults? A prospective clinical and MRI study

Background In case of suspected normal pressure hydrocephalus, MRI is performed systematically and can sometimes highlight an obstruction of the flow pathways of the CSF (aqueductal stenosis or other downstream obstruction). It seems legitimate for these patients to ask the question of a treatment with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), even if the late decompensation of an obstruction may suggest an association with a CSF resorption disorder. The aim of this study was to evaluate clinical and radiological evolution after ETV in a group of elderly patients with an obstructive chronic hydrocephalus (OCH). Methods ETV was performed in 15 patients with OCH between 2012 and 2017. Morphometric (callosal angle, ventricular surface, third ventricular width, and Evans’ index) and velocimetric parameters (stroke volume of the aqueductal (SVa) CSF) parameters were measured prior and after surgery with brain MRI. The clinical score (mini-mental status examination (MMSE) and the modified Larsson’s score, evaluating walking, autonomy, and incontinence) were performed pre- and postoperatively. Results SVa was less than 15 μL/R-R in 12 out of the 15 patients; in the other three cases, the obstruction was located at a distance from the middle part of the aqueduct. Fourteen out of 15 patients were significantly improved: mean Larsson’s score decreased from 3.8 to 0.6 ( P ≤ 0.01) and mean MMSE increased from 25.7 to 28 ( P = 0.084). Evans’ index and ventricular area decreased postoperatively and the callosal angle increased ( P ≤ 0.01). The mean follow-up lasted 17.9 months. No postoperative complications were observed. Conclusion ETV seems to be a safe and efficient alternative to shunt for chronic hydrocephalus with obstruction; the clinical improvement is usual and ventricular size decreases slightly.