Surgical approaches to tumors of the lateral ventricle

Tumors of the lateral ventricles comprise a relatively rare heterogeneous group of lesions in children and adults. They arise from the ependyma and subependyma that line the ventricles, from the choroid plexus arachnoid and epithelium, or from ectopic tissue rests that have become trapped within the ventricle or its lining. Although the lateral ventricles are among the most surgically inaccessible areas of the brain, numerous operative approaches to the ventricles have been developed. This article first discusses the clinical manifestations and differential diagnosis of lateral ventricular tumors. Relevant regional anatomy and general operative strategies for these lesions are then discussed, with particular focus on the following approaches: frontal, temporal, and parietal transcortical approaches and anterior and posterior interhemispheric approaches.