Microsurgery through Transcallosal Interforniceal Approach for Tumors in the Third Ventricles

Objective To explore the microsurgical skills for removing the tumor in the third ventricle. Methods The tumors were removed by microsurgery through transcallosal interforniceal approach in 6 patients with the third ventricle tumors, which included 2 cases of craniopharyngiomas intruding into the third ventricles, 1 thalamic glioma, 1 hypothalamic hamartoma, 1 teratoma and 1pineal germinoma. Results Total removal of the tumors was achieved in 4 cases and subtotal in 2. No death occurred in all the patients. The recent complications which disappeared one or two weeks after the management included polydipsia, diuresis and electrolyte disturbances in 3 cases. One patient with the Parinaud's syndrome recovered from his disease 3 months after the operation. The subdural effusion were spontaneously absorbed in 3 patients 3 months after the surgery. Conclusions Microsurgery through transcallosal interforniceal approach can remove the tumors located in all the regions of the third ventricle and only produces a slight damage to the important structures around the tumors, and few complications occurred due to reaching the third ventricle through intracerebral physiological spaces, quite large operative field and intuitive operation.