Background: The Ommaya reservoir for intraventricular chemotherapy of leptomeningeal carcinomatosis (LMC) patients has been reported to have some complications. We introduced a Chemoport reservoir, with a solid non-collapsible, high-profile chamber as a the replacement for the Ommaya reservoir in LMC patients.
Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of Chemoport as an alternative to Ommaya for the intraventricular chemotherapy of LMC.
Methods: The medical records of 155 patients (89 Ommaya and 66 Chemoport) who underwent intraventricular chemotherapy via a subgaleal reservoir were reviewed. Chemoport was secured with engraving of skull.
Result: Reservoir malfunction, including one intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) under the burr hole occurred, in six patients. During the course of therapy, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) infection was diagnosed in 19 patients and intraventricular hemorrhage with ICH was evident in three patients of the Ommaya group. Incidence of the above-mentioned complications showed no difference between the two groups. CSF leakage under a galeal flap or through a wound edge occurred more frequently in the Ommaya group (12 patients) than in the Chemoport group (two patients) and the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.03). One-hundred and four patients showed increased intracranial pressure (ICP) and 74 of them received additional CSF drainage to control increased ICP by either intermittent CSF drainage in both groups or continuous extraventricular drainage (EVD) of CSF using designated hooked needle only in the Chemoport group. Among the factors related to the control ICP, the number of chemotherapies, type of reservoir in favor of Chemoport, and EVD showed significantly improved control of ICP (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Chemoport, as a reservoir for intraventricular chemotherapy, has superior ICP control at an equal or lower rate of complications compared with the Ommaya reservoir.