Endoscopic surgery for intracranial cysts

Objective To report experiences of endoscopic surgery on 51 patients with intracranial cysts, according to which, discuss indications and techniques of surgery on it. Methods There were 51 patients with intracranial cystic lesions and intracranial cystic tumors underwent endoscopic neurosurgery and endoscope controled microneurosurgery.Results 9 cases with cystic tumors and 6 cases with intraventricular cysts underwent total resection, 23 cases with intracranial arachnoid cysts underwent cyst partial resection and cystocisternostomy. 13 cases with ventricle related cysts underwent cystoventriculostomy. Most of the intracranial cystic lesions in our group improved clinically and anatomically after surgery. There was a good effect according to 3 months followup in 25 cases.Conclusions Endoscopic neurosurgery and endoscope assisted microneurosurgery to treat intracranial cystic lesions via a burr hole or keyhole craniotomy, offer a minimally invasive technique, as well as reliable effect.