Hemorrhagic sequelae from intracranial neuroendoscopic procedures for intraventricular tumors.

Object: Concern regarding the ability to accomplish adequate hemostasis during intracranial neuroendoscopy is often cited as a potential obstacle for primary endoscopic tumor management. In this study, the rate of clinically significant hemorrhage encountered as a result of endoscopic surgery for an intraventricular brain tumor is examined.

Methods: A total of 86 patients underwent an endoscopic biopsy procedure or resection of an intraventricular tumor. Recognized hemorrhagic sequelae occurred at a rate of 3.5% per patient. Visual obscuration due to the presence of intraventricular bleeding necessitated aborting the procedure before completion of the objective in two cases. There was a hemorrhagic event resulting in relevant morbidity in one patient, who suffered a bilateral diencephalic stroke after attempted tumor biopsy sampling.

Conclusions: The low hemorrhagic complication rate described in this series counters the misconception surrounding ineffective hemostasis during intracranial endoscopy for tumors and provides further evidence that this minimally invasive approach is a safe alternative to some conventional intracranial approaches.