Management of hydrocephalus caused by tumor of the 4th ventricule in children

Objective To investigate the management of hydrocephalus caused by tumors of the 4th ventricule. Method Thirty - one children with tumors of the 4th ventricule treated in Huanhu hospital in Tianjin,among which 13 patients had medulloblastoma, 13 ependymoma,3 astrocytoma and 2 choroid plexus papilloma. The patients were divided into three groups. Group A (5 cases): all the patients preoperatively accepted ventriculo - peritoneal shunting(V -Ps). Group B(15 cases): postoperative management group, which was divided into two subgroups,group B1 and group B2. V -Ps were performed in group B1(7 cases) for hydrocephalus after resection of tumor and endoscopic third ventriculostomy ( ETV) in group B2 (8 cases). The patients in group C ( 11 cases) did not develope hydrocephalus after tumor resection. Results There was no postoperative hydrocephalic sign in 5 patients treated by V - Ps 2 days before tumor resection. 15 out of 31 patients(48% ) developed hydrocephalus after resection of tumor. 7( group B1) of 15 patients were treated with V - Ps,of them one had slit ventricule and one recepted shunt tube reversion. 8 (group B2)of 15 patients underwent ETV,of them one had subdural hydroma and 2 had leakage of incisioa 11 (group C) out of 31(35% ) had no hydrocephalus. Radiological assessement was performed with 4 ventricule index( Ⅵ),including the maximal width of frontal horns,occipital horns,biparietal and 3th ventricule. There was no significant diference ( P > 0. 05 ) among the three groups in ventricule indexes and postoperative complications. Conclusions The 4th ventricule tumor - related hydrocephalus could be resolved by V - Ps or ETV. It is more rational to deal with the hydrocephalus just after the resection of tumor. Key words: Child;  Fourth ventricle;  Brain neoplosms;  Hydrocephalus;  Endoscopic third venticulostomy