gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Neuroendoscopic removal of colloid cysts has become a widely accepted treatment option instead of a microsurgical or stereotactic approach. The technique is minimally invasive and effective. However, long-term results still remain a matter of interest.

Methods: The data of 17 patients treated endoscopically for colloid cysts are presented. In seven cases, frameless computerized neuronavigation was used for precisely approaching the cysts. The stepwise procedure included first the coagulation of the capsule vessels and the choroid plexus covering the cysts. Afterwards the cysts were opened, the colloid content aspirated, and then the solid parts and the capsule removed with forceps.

Results: In one patient with a small cyst, only an endoscopic inspection was performed. This cyst is still unchanged after 48 months. In 16 patients 17 cysts were completely evacuated and the membranes widely resected. There was no mortality and no permanent morbidity. In one patient, a transient memory loss occurred. There was a mean follow up period of 71.1 months (ranging from 12 to 147 months). To date, no cyst recurrences have been observed at the follow-up MRI up to 94 months after neuroendoscopic treatment, even in patients with small remnants of the cyst membrane.

Conclusions: Endoscopic resection of colloid cyst has proven to be successful in the long-term. Even small remnants left in place during operation have not caused cyst recurrence up to now. However, further follow up is necessary, because cyst recurrence has been reported after ten years.