Introduction: Posterior third ventricle ependymomas with intraaqueductal extension are relatively infrequent lesions. Its surgical management represents a formidable technical challenge and includes a wide variety of approaches. Minimally invasive surgery including the endoscopic management can play a crucial role to obtain an optimal clinical outcome.
Patients and methods: We report the clinical outcome of an 11-year-old female patient with a 6-year history of recurrent episodes of headache and vomiting. On brain MRI a posterior third ventricle lesion with extension to the aqueduct of Sylvius and fourth ventricle, and associated hydrocephalus was observed.
Results: Our management of the lesion included a two-step endoscopic surgery: first an anterior third ventriculostomy and biopsy of the lesion that was reported to be a low-grade ependymoma, and posteriorly an endoscopic-assisted resection of the lesion. Clinical outcome was optimal without neurological sequelae. The postoperative MRI showed a thickened ependymal area on the tumor base of implantation. It was considered to be a remnant of the lesion and subsequently treated with radiotherapy.
Conclusion: Posterior third ventricle ependymomas with intraaqueductal extension can be endoscopically managed to obtain a successful outcome.
Keywords: Aqueduct of Sylvius; Endoscopic; Ependymoma; Third ventricle.