Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in obstructive hydrocephalus due to giant basilar artery aneurysm

Obstructive hydrocephalus due to giant basilar artery (BA) aneurysm is a rare finding, and endoscopic treatment has not been reported. Here the authors present their experience with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) in obstructive hydrocephalus due to giant BA aneurysm. Between December 2000 and March 2007, 3 patients (2 men and I woman; age range 32-80 years) underwent an ETV for the treatment of obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a giant BA aneurysm. All 3 patients presented with cephalgia, nausea, vomiting, and a variable decrease in consciousness. An obstructive hydrocephalus caused by a giant BA aneurysm was found in each case as the underlying pathological entity. Intraoperatively, a narrowing of the third ventricle by upward displacement of the tegmentum was found in all 3 patients. A standard ETV was performed and included an inspection of the prepontine cisterns. The endoscopic treatment was successful in all patients with respect to clinical signs and radiological ventricular enlargement. No complications were observed. In all, the endoscopic ventriculostomy was proven to be a successful treatment option in obstructive hydrocephalus even if it is caused by untreated giant BA aneurysm.