Electrical flexible neuroendoscopic management of fourth ventricular cysticercosis:2 cases report

Objective To investigate the value of electrical flexible neuroendoscopic management of the fourth ventricular cysticercosis.Methods 2 cases of fourth ventricular cysticercosis were transaqueductally removed with an electrical flexible neuroendoscope.In one case,the preoperative MRI showed a cystic lesion in the fourth ventricle.In another case,the preoperative MRI showed the cystic lesion in the third ventricle,but during the course of exploration of ventricles under neuroeodoscope,the lesion was found to have migrated into the fourth ventricle.Results Complete excision of cysts in the fourth ventricle was performed in both patients with no significant operative or postoperative complications.Satisfactory postoperative CSF flow around foramen magnum was detected by cine phase-contrast magnetic resonance imaging.Conclusions The whole ventricular system can be explored easily with electrical flexible neuroendoscope.Electrical flexible neuroendoscopic management of the fourth ventricular cysticercosis should be the optimal choice due to its minimal invasion,less complications,shorter length of stay and cheaper treatment costs. Key words: Cysticercosis;  The fourth ventricle;  Electrical flexible neuroendoscopy;  Obstructive hydrocephalus