Endoscopic biopsy of intra- and paraventricular brain tumors

Introduction
Selection of the optimal treatment method of intra- and paraventricular tumors often requires histopathological verification that can be obtained by endoscopic biopsy.

Aim
To discuss the usefulness of the method in their own experience.

Material and methods
The results of 32 biopsies carried out during a 15-year period were reviewed retrospectively. All tumors were located supratentorially, 25 of them were intraventricular and 7 paraventricular. In 18 patients the tumor was accompanied by internal hydrocephalus. If the ventricular system was narrow, the biopsy was supported by a neuronavigation system. A rigid neuroendoscope was used. The obtained material was subjected to intraoperative and final histopathological examination.

Results
Viable diagnostic material was obtained from all patients. In 11 patients with tumor of the posterior portion of the third ventricle, cerebrospinal fluid was collected additionally for diagnostic tests. In 9 patients with obstructive hydrocephalus concomitant third ventriculostomy was performed. In 4 patients with tumor of the interventricular foramen, the tumor mass was reduced and in 2 cases septostomy was performed. In 3 (9.4%) cases the histopathological diagnosis was descriptive and did not explain the nature of the lesion. Four biopsies resulted in persistent bleeding, in 3 patients transient memory impairments were observed, and in 1 patient an epileptic seizure occurred. Five patients needed ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement.

Conclusions
Endoscopic biopsy is a safe method to verify the histopathological nature of intra- and paraventricular lesions. It enables sampling of cerebrospinal fluid, reduction of tumor size, and in cases of coexisting obstructive hydrocephalus also third ventriculostomy or septostomy.