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Case Reports
. 2024 Aug 1;27(2):239-242.
doi: 10.1227/ons.0000000000001096. Epub 2024 Feb 14.

Mother-Daughter Ventricular Endoscopy: A Technical Note and 2-Dimensional Video

Affiliations
Case Reports

Mother-Daughter Ventricular Endoscopy: A Technical Note and 2-Dimensional Video

Joyce Koueik et al. Oper Neurosurg. .

Abstract

Background and importance: While navigating the ventricles with a rigid endoscope provides excellent visualization and the ability to use endoscopic instruments for complex surgery, these endoscopes are often too large to navigate tight areas. We present a surgical video showing the technique of mother-daughter endoscopy, which consists of the introduction of a flexible 1-mm fiberoptic endoscope through the channel of a large rigid endoscope to allow visualization across small spaces or channels, in this case, the cerebral aqueduct. This combination of superior visualization and handling of rigid endoscopes and flexibility and small size of fiberoptic endoscopes enhances safety and broadens possibilities in ventricular surgery.

Clinical presentation: A 64-year-old woman with prior endoscopic aqueductoplasty for triventricular hydrocephalus and a failed endoscopic third ventriculostomy presented with focal restenosis of the aqueduct. A repeat endoscopic aqueductoplasty with stent placement were performed. Mother-daughter endoscopy was used to explore the occluded aqueduct for improved safety before fenestration and to ensure proper stent placement after fenestration.

Conclusion: Mother-daughter endoscopy can add safety to complex or high-risk endoscopic procedures, particularly those with tight spaces that the large mother endoscope cannot visualize.

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References

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    1. Fritsch MJ, Schroeder HW. Endoscopic aqueductoplasty and stenting. World Neurosurg. 2013;79(2 Suppl):S20 e15-e18.
    1. Teo C, Young R 2nd. Endoscopic management of hydrocephalus secondary to tumors of the posterior third ventricle. Neurosurg Focus. 1999;7(4):e2.

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