Clinical Outcome after Transcortical Approach for Lateral Ventricular Neoplasms

Background: Tumors of the lateral ventricle account for less than 1% of intracranial tumors. They can be removed through the transcortical or the transcallosal approach. Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate the patient’s outcome and complications of transcortical excision of tumors located in the lateral ventricle. Patients and Methods: Our series included twenty patients studied prospectively; twelve males and eight females, the mean age was 37 years. These patients were operated upon in the Neurosurgery Department, Cairo university hospitals from 2010 to 2013.Transcortical approach was chosen for tumor excision for all cases. Patients were followed up clinically for 18-36 months. Results: Gross-total excision of the tumor was achieved in fourteen patients and subtotal resection in six patients. The most common preoperative presenting symptoms included signs of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in 65% of patients, seizures in 15%, obstructive hydrocephalus in 35%, personality changes and cognitive impairment in 5% of patients. Along postoperative follow-up 15(75%) patients had good clinical outcome with no permanent deficit and returned to their active life, fair outcome with permanent deficit occurred in four cases (20%) and three patients suffered from meningitis who were cured except for one case (5%). Common adverse effects included seizures, meningitis, and hydrocephalus. Conclusion: Transcortical approach for excision of lateral ventricle tumors can provide a good clinical outcome. It is considered a safe and effective technique with some limitations. Total tumor removal and prognosis is variable according to histopathological features.