Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Review
. 2023 Oct;39(10):2729-2735.
doi: 10.1007/s00381-023-06090-0. Epub 2023 Aug 5.

Neuroendoscopy: history, endoscopes, and instrumentation

Henry W S Schroeder  1 , Spyros Sgouros  2
Affiliations
Review

Neuroendoscopy: history, endoscopes, and instrumentation

Henry W S Schroeder et al. Childs Nerv Syst. 2023 Oct.

Abstract

Introduction: Endoscopy was first employed in the surgical treatment of neurosurgical diseases early in the twentieth century, but did not become an established practice for a long time, mainly because of poor technology and clinical results. After a slow re-appearance in the 1980s, the 1990s saw an explosion of techniques and instrumentation. Continuing technological improvement has led to further expansion of surgical techniques and indications for use of neuroendoscopy.

Discussion: The expansion of ventricular endoscopy has led to significant understanding of CSF disorders. Aqueduct stenosis as cause of hydrocephalus and arachnoid cysts are an example of pathologies, the concept and understanding of which now is considerably enhanced, due to the application of neuroendoscopy in their treatment. Management of loculated hydrocephalus has been facilitated considerably with the use of the endoscope. The concepts of aqueductoplasty, septostomy, and foraminoplasty of the foramina of Monro and Magendie emerged, which were previously unknown. Skull base surgery, especially surgery for craniopharyngioma, has seen dramatic improvement in results with the use of the endoscope. Coupling of the endoscope with neuronavigation has expanded technical capabilities even further. Overall, we can do a lot more with the endoscope now in comparison to 30 years ago.

Conclusion: We should always remember that the endoscope is only a tool. Its use has indications and limitations related to its design and our ability to extract the maximum, in the context of its shortcomings. Further technological advances will push surgical frontiers even more in years to come.

Keywords: 3D; 4 K; Chip-on-the-tip endoscopes; Fibreoptic endoscopes; HD; Neuroendoscopes; Neuroendoscopy; Rod-lens endoscopes.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Schroeder HW, Nehlsen M (2009) Value of high-definition imaging in neuroendoscopy. Neurosurg Rev 32:303–308 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Verger-Kuhnke AB, Reuter MA, Beccaria ML (2007) Biography of Phillip Bozzini (1773–1809) an idealist of the endoscopy. Actas Urol Esp 31(5):437–444 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Bozzini P (1806) Lichtleiter, eine Erfindung zur Anschauung innerer Theile und Krankheiten nebst der Abbildung. J der practischen Arzneykunde und Wundarzneykunst 24:107–124
    1. Reuter MA, Reuter HJ (1998) The development of the cystoscope. J Urol 159(3):638–640 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Engelhard HH, Grant J, Ciric IS, Wetzel NC, Batjer HH (1998) The history of Neurological surgery at Northwestern University. Neurosurgery 43(4):914–925 - DOI - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources