Transchoroidal approach to third ventricular tumors

Eight patients with third ventricular lesions were treated using transchoroidal approach. The operative technique was described. The advantages of this approach are: (1)easy entering into the third ventricle through the choroidal fissure, the thinnest site in the wall of the lateral ventricle (2)avoiding memory dysfunction because of access to the third ventricle by displacing, rather th- an dividing, the fornix, and (3) excellent exposure. Transchoroidal approach is most suited to mid-third ventricular lesions. It's also suited to lesions in the anterior or posterior portion of the third ventricle. The authors pointed out that it is not really needed to sacrifice the thalamostriate vein and open the posterior margin of the foramen of Monro in order to manage the lesions located in the anterior and middle portions of the third ventricle. In fact these lesions can be approached through both the choroidal fissure and the foramen of Monro along an 8-shaped opening.