Adult gangliocytoma arising within the lateral ventricle: A case report and review of the literature

Background: Gangliocytomas are rare neuronal tumors with an incidence of <1% of all central nervous system (CNS) neoplasms. They occur mostly in the pediatric age group, localizing within the cerebral cortex, most often the temporal lobe. Case Description: We report a case of an intracranial gangliocytoma arising within the lateral ventricle in a 66-year-old female. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed a diffusely enhancing lobulated mass situated within the frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle with extension into the foramen of Monro and obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient underwent an interhemispheric transcallosal approach with gross total resection and relief of her hydrocephalus. Pathological examination showed clusters of highly pleomorphic neuron-like cells without evidence of neoplastic glial cells. Histopathological and immunohistochemistry findings were consistent with the diagnosis of gangliocytoma (World Health Organization Grade 1). Conclusion: Gangliocytomas are rare low-grade CNS neoplasms that can present in an older population within unusual locations and should be included within the differential whenever a suspicious lesion is encountered.

Rare Case of Young Patient with Intraventricular Angiomatous Meningioma

Pediatric meningiomas are rare and account for only 2.2% of CNS tumors. In this age group, they are more frequently located in atypical sites, such as, mainly, the ventricular system, with a frequency of 8.8 to 13.6%. Adding this to the fact that the angiomatous subtype constitutes only 2.1% of all meningiomas, the rarity of the case reported here i s corroborated. We report a 17-year-old female patient diagnosed with intraventricular angiomatous meningioma; she underwent surgical resection of the tumor in the body and frontal horn of the right lateral ventricle, and there was no neurological sequela. With a follow-up of 4 years, there was no recurrence and the patient had clinical stability. Intraventricular tumors usually have slow growth and reach considerable size until they cause symptoms and then are diagnosed. In addition, the tumor’s deep location and proximity to eloquent areas make such tumors an neurosurgical challenge. The angiomatous subtype, due to the presence of hypervascularization (consisting of more than 50% of vascular components), may, in some cases, hinder surgical resection as well as be erroneously diagnosed. However, surgical treatment aimed at total resection of the lesion remains the conduct of choice in the case reported here, especially in patients in the first two decades of life, in which the use of radiation is avoided. Specifically when it comes to the surgery, we chose a transcallosal approach that allows a good transoperative visualization of the lesion when located in the body and frontal horn of the lateral ventricle.

The Anterior Interhemispheric Transcallosal Approach in Craniopharyngiomas

Objective: Craniopharyngioma is a type of embryo-epithelium tumor which originates from the remnant tissue of Rathke’s pouch, and the tumor mostly grows in saddle. These tumors are associated with significant morbidity and mortality, primarily from their anatomic proximity to many critical neurological and vascular structures. This study aimed to summarize the clinical experiences and postoperative effects of the transcallosal approach for craniopharyngiomas. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 14 consecutive patients with craniopharyngioma who underwent surgical resection via anterior transcallosal route at the department of Neurosurgery of Cherchell Hospital between January 2015 and June 2020. All patients had thorough preoperative and postoperative ophthalmological and endocrine evaluations. The follow-up period ranged from 10 to 36 months. Results: Gross total resection was achieved in eight patients (57%) in this series. Six patients (43%) with preoperative visual impairment experienced significant visual improvement. The overall recurrence rate was 36%. Conclusion: The interhemispheric transcallosal approach can be used alone for purely intraventricular craniopharyngiomas, or they can be used in combination with other anterolateral and midline transcranial approaches to respect the intra and extra ventricular portions of the tumor.

Interhemispheric transcallosal intervenous approach to a pineal region tumor

Pineal region tumors represent a formidable challenge to the neurosurgeon. Choosing the right approach is key to optimizing the extent of resection and minimizing surgical morbidity. In this video, the authors show an interhemispheric transcallosal approach to a pineal region tumor in a 15-year-old boy. The advantage of this corridor over posterior approaches is that it provides a nice view of the tumor plane with the venous complex, especially while dissecting tumor from the anterior aspect of the internal cerebral veins on their vertical path. Thus, this approach represents a safe and effective alternative for selected pineal tumors. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.4.FOCVID2120.

Interhemispheric transcallosal transchoroidal approach to a pineal teratoma in a 15-year-old boy

In this video, the authors present an interhemispheric transcallosal transchoroidal approach to a pineal mass in a 15-year-old boy. He received emergency endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), then an endoscopic biopsy that revealed an immature teratoma. Surgical removal was selected. The mass was located very high in the posterior third ventricle, hidden behind the splenium of the corpus callosum and the vein of Galen, so an interhemispheric transcallosal approach followed by a complete dissection of the whole choroidal fissure was chosen and allowed complete removal of the tumor. Microsurgical dissection is presented, showing clearly in detail all the neurovascular structures encountered. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.4.FOCVID2126.

Resection of a recurrent pineal region teratoma via a posterior interhemispheric transcallosal approach

The authors describe the unusual case of a 6-year-old boy presenting with decorticate posturing, diminished hearing, and an inability to open his eyes, despite being verbally responsive. He underwent a posterior interhemispheric transcallosal intervenous approach for resection of a pineal region mature teratoma, which recurred 2 years postoperatively. This video demonstrates his initial surgery and reresection, illustrating the value of this approach for more complex lesions that involve the internal cerebral veins (ICVs). At the time of recurrence, microsurgical dissection of the scarred interhemispheric fissure was required to facilitate removal of the multifocal recurrent teratoma, resulting in gross-total resection. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2021.4.FOCVID2134.

Endoscopic resection of a low-grade ependymoma of the pineal region

Background: Full endoscopic resection of solid brain tumors represents a challenge for neurosurgeons. This can be achieved with modern technology and advanced surgical tools. Case Description: A 23-years-old male was referred to our unit with raised intracranial pressure. Head computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed obstructive hydrocephalus and a third ventricle lesion. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy and biopsy were performed, a left frontal external ventricular drain was left in place. A second-look surgery for endoscopic removal was planned. Decision to proceed with an endoscopic removal was supported by the following characteristics found during the first surgery: tumor exophytic, soft texture, scarce vascularity, and low-grade appearance. A rescue strategy for microscopic resection via transcallosal approach was decided. A straight trajectory to the tumor was planned with navigation. A further anterior left frontal burr-hole was performed, and the ventricular system was entered via the left frontal horn. Resection was carried out alternating laser for hemostasis and cutting, endoscopic ultrasonic aspirator, and endoscopic forceps for piecemeal resection. Laser hemostasis and cutting (1 Watt power at tip, continuous wave mode) were useful at the ventricular wall-tumor interface. Relevant landmarks guided the approach and the resection (foramen of Monro, mammillary bodies, aqueduct, pineal and suprapineal recess, and posterior commissure). The surgery was carried uneventfully. Histopathology confirmed a lowgrade ependymoma. Post-operative MRI showed residual tumor within the lower aqueduct. At 3 years follow-up, residual tumor is stable. Conclusion: In selected cases, endoscopic resection for third ventricular tumors is feasible and safe, and represents a valid alternative to microsurgical approaches.

Surgical approaches to the third ventricle of the brain in children

AIM: This study aimed to describe and analyze the advantages and disadvantages of various surgical approaches to neoplasms of the third ventricle of the brain in children. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study analyzed surgical interventions to the third ventricle in 657 patients, performed at the Academician N.N. Burdenko of the Research Institute of Neurosurgery from 1998 to 2018. These included 375 patients with intra-extraventricular craniopharyngiomas and 282 patients with gliomas of the third ventricle and chiasm. The patients age ranged from 3 mon to 18 years old. RESULTS: The anterior transcallosal approach provides access to the anterior horn and bodies of the lateral ventricles, as well as the third ventricle. The transfornical approach provides more opportunities for access to both the anterior and posterior parts of the third ventricle; however, it has a high risk of trauma to the fornix. The subchoroidal approach provides a very good view of the posterior parts of the third ventricle, especially of the pineal region; however, it has even greater restrictions on viewing its anterior parts. When compared with the transcallosal approach, the transfrontal approach can be used more safely in the absence of hydrocephalus (if the tumor is located in the anterior horn). No specific complications were inherent in a particular approach (seizures were registered in 1%, transient hemiparesis was noted in 10%, and transient memory impairments were revealed in 5% of cases). CONCLUSION: The use of a transcallosal approach is safe even in infants. The transcortical approach is recommended mainly for large tumors of the lateral ventricles, and the transcallosal approach should be used for small tumors of the third ventricle. No specific complications were inherent in a particular approach, and the choice was determined by the assessment of the exact location of the tumor and calculation of the most relevant trajectory for its achievement as well as the aim (biopsy or radical removal). Analysis of magnetic resonance imaging and neuronavigation are significant in the selection of surgical approaches.