Treatment of hydrocephalus with third ventriculocisternostomy: outcome and CSF flow patterns.

Third ventriculocisternostomy was performed in 23 patients for management of hydrocephalus. The procedure was offered as the first treatment in 18 cases and in lieu of a shunt revision in 4 cases. Median follow-up was 17 months (range 7-44 months). In 16 patients the operation was successful in treating their symptoms (73%). Cine MRI was helpful in evaluating patients with persistent ventriculomegaly. Resolution of symptoms in association with decreased ventricular size correlated best with outcome following this procedure. Third ventriculocisternostomy is technically safe and minimally invasive and should be offered as the first procedure in the management of noncommunicating hydrocephalus.