(1)
Division of Neurosurgery, Federal University of Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Minas Gerais, Brazil
3.1 Introduction
The basic condition for good visualization of ventricular structures is ventricular dilatation. Although currently it is possible to perform endoscopic procedures with non-dilated ventricles by neuronavigation techniques [1, 2], the vast majority of procedures are performed with dilated ventricles. Rigid endoscopy systems have a much higher image quality when compared with flexible systems. All pictures presented here were obtained from Karl Storz rigid endoscopy Gaab (6° viewing angle) systems and Oi HandyPro (0° viewing angle) (Karl Storz, Tuttlingen, Germany). The entry point used was Kocher’s point , in most cases on the right side, a point from which it is possible to perform the majority of ventricular procedures. This hole is located about 2 cm anterior to the coronal suture and 2 cm lateral to the midline, approximately at the mid-pupillary line [3, 4]. Depending on the condition being treated, these coordinates may vary by centimeters. After entering the lateral ventricle (Figs. 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, and 3.5), the first significant anatomical viewing is the foramen of Monro, the gateway to the third ventricle. An important topographic detail is that the choroid plexus always lies in the posterior margin of the foramen, in close contact with the angle formed by the superior thalamostriate vein and the anterior septal vein [3] (Fig. 3.6). In certain cases a foraminoplasty may be necessary, making use of a Fogarty balloon catheter. Although this procedure is controversial, it can be performed safely and without permanent memory deficit if the structures in this region are properly displayed [5, 6, 7]. The foramen may still be occluded by arachnoid cysts within the lateral ventricles (which are basically treated with fenestrations to reduce their volume [8, 9]), or by tumors such as colloid cysts, which can be completely resected by neuroendoscopy [10]. Other procedures to be performed in this region are septostomy for an isolated lateral ventricle [7], and choroid plexus coagulation, as discussed in Part I. The initial endoscopic viewing angle shown in Fig. 3.7 is intended for visualization of the structures in the body of the lateral ventricle (see Figs. 3.8, 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12, 3.13, 3.14, 3.15, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18, 3.19, 3.20, 3.21, 3.22, 3.23, 3.24, 3.25, 3.26, 3.27, 3.28, 3.29, 3.30, 3.31, 3.32, 3.33, 3.34, 3.35, 3.36, 3.37, 3.38, 3.39, 3.40, 3.41, 3.42, 3.43, 3.44, 3.45, 3.46, 3.47, 3.48, 3.49, 3.50, 3.51, 3.52, and 3.53). The endoscopic viewing angles for better visualization of the septum pellucidum (Fig. 3.54), frontal horn (Fig. 3.75), and atrium (Fig. 3.80) are shown prior to the following figures in each region (Fig. 3.55, 3.56, 3.57, 3.58, 3.59, 3.60, 3.61, 3.62, 3.63, 3.64, 3.65, 3.66, 3.67, 3.68, 3.69, 3.70, 3.71, 3.72, 3.73, 3.74, 3.76, 3.77, 3.78, 3.79, 3.81, 3.82, 3.83, 3.84, 3.85, 3.86, 3.87, 3.88, and 3.89). Illustrative cases are presented.
3.2 Entering the Ventricular System
Fig. 3.1
Transfontanelle standard dural opening in a newborn. (A) Corticotomy, (B) Dura mater, (C) Scalp
Fig. 3.2
Gaab system operating sheath. (A) Neuroendoscope optics entrance, (B) Saline solution entrance channel, (C) Saline passive exit channel
Fig. 3.3
Inside operating sheath. (A) Inside operating sheath
Fig. 3.4
Cerebral trajectory. (A) Brain, (B) Ependymal layer, (C) Inside the lateral ventricle
Fig. 3.5.
Ependymal layer. (A) Inside the lateral ventricle, (B) Fenestrated ependymal layer
Fig. 3.6
Foramen of Monro, its adjacent structures, and anterior segment of the third ventricle. Infundibular recess (a), right mammillary body (b), right column of the fornix (c), left column of the fornix (c’), thalamus (d), and optic chiasm (e) (Reprinted from Seeger [11])
Fig. 3.7
Direction of the endoscopic vision after entering the right lateral ventricle
3.3 Right Lateral Ventricle: Foramen of Monro Region
Fig. 3.8
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Frontal horn, (D) Head of the caudate nucleus, (E) Superior thalamostriate vein, (F) Choroid plexus, (G) Body of the fornix, (H) Anterior septal vein, (I) Septum pellucidum
Fig. 3.9
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Anterior caudate vein, (D) Superior thalamostriate vein, (E) Choroid plexus, (F) Body of the fornix, (G) Anterior septal vein, (H) Septum pellucidum
Fig. 3.10
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Superior thalamostriate vein, (D) Thalamus, (E) Choroid plexus, (F) Body of the fornix, (G) Anterior septal vein
Fig. 3.11
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Superior thalamostriate vein, (D) Superior choroidal vein, (E) Choroid plexus, (F) Atrium, (G) Body of the fornix, (H) Anterior septal vein
Fig. 3.12
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Anterior caudate vein, (D) Superior thalamostriate vein, (E) Choroid plexus, (F) Anterior septal vein, (G) Septum pellucidum
Fig. 3.13
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Anterior caudate vein, (D) Substitute superior thalamostriate vein [12], (E) Superior thalamostriate vein, (F) Choroid plexus, (G) Lateral posterior choroidal artery, (H) Thalamus, (I) Septum pellucidum, (J) Anterior septal vein
Fig. 3.14
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Substitute superior thalamostriate vein [12], (D) Superior thalamostriate vein, (E) Superior choroidal vein, (F) Choroid plexus, (G) Atrium, (H) Posterior septal vein, (I) Spontaneous fenestration in the septum pellucidum, (J) Normal septum pellucidum, (K) Anterior septal vein
Fig. 3.15
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Column of the fornix, (C) Anterior caudate vein, (D) Substitute superior thalamostriate vein [12]
Fig. 3.16
Normal anatomy. (A) Anterior septal vein, (B) Foramen of Monro, (C) Substitute superior thalamostriate vein [12], (D) Superior thalamostriate vein, (E) Choroid plexus
Fig. 3.17
Normal anatomy. (A) Choroid plexus, (B) Superior thalamostriate vein, (C) Anterior septal vein
3.4 Right Lateral Ventricle: Body
Fig. 3.18
Normal anatomy. (A) Choroid plexus
Fig. 3.19
Normal anatomy. (A) Choroid plexus, (B) Foramen of Monro, (C) Body of the caudate nucleus, (D) Superior thalamostriate vein, (E) Thalamus, (F) Atrium, (G) Body of the fornix
Fig. 3.20
Normal anatomy. (A) Foramen of Monro, (B) Substitute superior thalamostriate vein [12], (C) Anterior caudate veins, (D) Body of the caudate nucleus, (E) Caudate branches to superior thalamostriate vein, (F) Superior thalamostriate vein, (G) Thalamus, (H) Choroid plexus, (I) Lateral posterior choroidal artery
Fig. 3.21
Normal anatomy. (A) Body of the caudate nucleus, (B) Caudate branch to superior thalamostriate vein, (C) Superior thalamostriate vein, (D) Thalamus, (E) Choroid plexus
Fig. 3.22
Normal anatomy. (A) Choroid plexus, (B) Body of the caudate nucleus, (C) Superior thalamostriate vein
Fig. 3.23
Normal anatomy. (A) Superior thalamostriate vein, (B) Thalamus, (C) Choroid plexus, (D) Lateral posterior choroidal artery, (E) Atrium, (F) Septum pellucidum, (G) Posterior septal vein
Fig. 3.24
Normal anatomy. (A) Lateral posterior choroidal artery and vasa vasorum, (B) Choroid plexus, (C) Thalamus, (D) Septum pellucidum