Complete endoscopic removal of colloid cysts: issues of safety and efficacy.

The ideal management of colloid cysts is controversial. Treatment options include shunting procedures, stereotactic cyst aspiration, open craniotomy for microsurgical removal, and endoscopic removal. Although recent literature would suggest endoscopic removal is a reasonable approach, issues of safety and efficacy have dampened the universal acceptance of this surgical modality. The author performed a retrospective anaylsis to address these controversial issues. The charts of all patients in whom endoscopic removal of colloid cysts was performed by the primary author at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences were reviewed. Eighteen patients underwent this procedure over the last 5 years. The mean patient age was 32 years, and the mean follow-up period was 32 months. In all patients complete tumor removal was macroscopically and radiologically confirmed, and there were no permanent deficits. Two patients suffered aseptic meningitis without long-term sequelae. There were no deaths and no incidence of tumor recurrence. The results of this series support those previously published that underscore the advantages of endoscopic removal of colloid cysts. The procedure is safe and effective. Longer follow-up review is required to address the issue of duration of tumor-free survival.