Surgical Results of Third Ventricle Colloid Cysts

Colloid cyst of the third ventricle is an uncommon intracranial lesion accounts for less than 1% of all brain tumors. Although these lesions are pathologically benign but if left untreated they could cause sudden death or permanent neurological deficit. The objective of this study was to determine the surgical results of patients harboring these lesions with transcortical transventricular approach. This descriptive study was performed on 22 patients with third ventricle colloid cyst who underwent surgery at Neurosurgery department from 2007 to 2012. All patients operated with transcortical transventricular approach. Mean follow-up period was 16 (9-22) months. The study enrolled 22 cases (18 male and 4 female) with the mean age of 30±8 years. All cases presented by headache and papilledema. Mean operation time was 140±30 minutes. After surgery، intra ventricular hemorrhage observed in 6 (27. 2%) cases that was resolved without surgical intervention. Superficial wound infection occurred in 2 (9. 1%) patients. Postoperative seizure was seen in 3 (13. 6%) cases. Subgaleal hematoma in 2 (9. 1%)، subdural hematoma in 2 (9. 1%) cases were noticed. Hydrocephaly persisted in 2 (9. 1%) cases after surgery and required ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement. There was no mortality and no permanent neurological deficit among patients. Mean hospitalization period was 9 days. According to the results of this study، transcortical transventricular surgical approach for third ventricle colloid cysts revealed that this method has low risk and low complication.