Is There Evidence for the (Sole) Use of Third Ventriculostomy in the Treatment of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Literature Review.

Abstract

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) remains a poorly understood condition with no standardized treatment. Treatment is therefore generally individualized. Recent isolated reports have begun to describe the use of third ventriculostomy (open or closed) for the treatment of IIH. This review aims to communicate the current evidence for the use of third ventriculostomy in IIH. A systemic review, using PubMed, was performed of studies describing the use of third ventriculostomy, either open or closed, for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Only 3 studies for a total of 3 patients were found in which a third ventriculostomy was performed for the treatment of IIH. Despite very plausible proposed mechanisms of action, there is currently a paucity of both studies and, therefore, evidence for the use of either endoscopic or open third ventriculostomy for the treatment of IIH. The studies done to date do strongly suggest that further consideration is warranted.