Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Neuroimaging 2021 Apr 30. Epub 2021 Apr 30.

Division of Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology, Medstar Georgetown University Hospital, Washington, DC, USA.

Background And Purpose: Colloid cysts are relatively rare intracranial lesions located in the rostral aspect of third ventricle. They may produce acute hydrocephalus, brain herniation, and death. On conventional MRI, the appearance of a colloid cyst varies depending on its composition. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2020 29;11:465. Epub 2020 Dec 29.

Department of Pediatrics, Renaissance School of Medicine at Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York, United States.

Background: Colloid cysts arise from the roof of the third ventricle and are at risk for obstructing the flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and causing increased intracranial pressure. With advancements and increased frequency of imaging, colloid cysts are sometimes discovered incidentally. In these cases, the neurosurgeon is faced with the decision of whether to intervene or manage conservatively. Read More

Qatar Med J 2020 12;2020(2):28. Epub 2020 Nov 12.

Department of Anesthesia, SICU & Perioperative Medicine, Hamad Medical Corporation, Doha, Qatar.

Background: Third ventricular colloid cysts are benign but may cause acute hydrocephalus, raised intracranial pressure, decreased consciousness level, and sudden death. These ventricular colloid cysts associated with stunned myocardium are rarely reported in the literature. This study reported a case of a third ventricular colloid cyst presented as acute hydrocephalus complicated with severe neurogenic pulmonary edema, stunned myocardium, and heart failure, which survived at the end. Read More

Cureus 2020 Sep 26;12(9):e10662. Epub 2020 Sep 26.

Neurosurgery, Maulana Azad Medical College/Lok Nayak Hospital, New Delhi, IND.

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT) is a rare fibro-osseous neoplasm. We present a case highlighting the occurrence of an intracranial OFMT masquerading as meningioma on imaging in a 46-year-old gentleman. Brain imaging revealed an extra-axial calcified lesion along the left cerebellar convexity appearing hypointense on T1- and T2-weighted MRI sequences with no post-contrast enhancement, suggestive of a meningioma. Read More

World Neurosurg 2021 01 1;145:315-319. Epub 2020 Oct 1.

Department of Neurosurgery, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA; Department of Oncological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, New York, USA.

Background: Third ventricle cavernous malformations (CMs) associated with ventriculomegaly and obstructive hydrocephalus are quite rare in patients. Preoperative surgical planning can be challenging due to the lesion's non-specific appearance on CT and magnetic resonance imaging that can mimic other intraventricular pathologies, such as a colloid cyst. Management of these lesions can be varied in the setting of obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2020 15;11:247. Epub 2020 Aug 15.

Department of Neurosurgery, Allama Iqbal Medical College, Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan.

Background: Intraoperative imaging addresses the limitations of frameless neuronavigation systems by providing real-time image updates. With the advent of new multidetector intraoperative computed tomography (CT), soft tissue can be visualized far better than before. We report the early departmental experience of our intraoperative CT scanner's use in a wide range of technically challenging neurosurgical cases. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 12 2;144:88-91. Epub 2020 Sep 2.

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Surgery, Hamilton Health Sciences, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.

Background: Colloid cysts are rare developmental lesions, accounting for approximately 1% of intracranial tumors. Often, these benign lesions are asymptomatic, but they are associated with significant mortality as a result of acute hydrocephalus. This mortality in patients with vague or no symptoms dictates a need for better understanding of the etiology of colloid cysts to expedite diagnosis and management. Read More

Asian J Neurosurg 2020 Apr-Jun;15(2):414-417. Epub 2020 Apr 7.

Department of Surgery, Section of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR.

Colloid cysts of the third ventricle are rare lesions. To our knowledge, only 23 familial cases of colloid cysts have been reported in the literature. The country of origin of the patients with familial cases had not been previously studied as a group. Read More

Neurocirugia (Astur : Engl Ed) 2021 May-Jun;32(3):142-147. Epub 2020 May 17.

Department of Neurological Surgery, Hospital Universitario Basurto, Avenida Montevideo 18, 48013 Bilbao (Vizcaya, Basque Country), Spain.

Introduction: Acute spontaneous bleeding within a colloid cyst of the third ventricle is extremely rare. Accordingly, is difficult to establish reliable prognostic factors, risk factors for obstructive hydrocephalus remain poorly defined, and there are no standard management strategies.

Case Presentation: 19-Year-old man with a colloid cyst of the third ventricle causing obstructive hydrocephalus is described, initially treated with partial endoscopic removal and ventriculo-peritoneal shunt placement. Read More

J Neurosurg Sci 2020 Feb 10. Epub 2020 Feb 10.

Department of Neurosurgery Clinic, Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Pharmacology and Child Health, Careggi Hospital, University of Florence, Florence, Italy.

Background: The incidence of asymptomatic colloid cysts is increasing due to the widespread use of neuroimaging tools. According to previous works, familial forms (within first-degree relatives) represent 5-25% of the cases, and it is not clear whether they display specific features influencing the clinical behavior of the disease.

Methods: We reviewed the literature to extract data from papers dealing with familial colloid cysts. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 06 27;138:84-88. Epub 2020 Jan 27.

Department of Neurosurgery, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.

Background: Colloid cysts are benign and rare tumors of the brain. The growth rates of these tumors are unpredictable. These cysts can increase in size and obstruct the cerebrospinal fluid pathways producing obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2020 08;19(2):134-142

Division of Neurosurgery, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada.

Background: Endoscopic resection of colloid cysts has gained recent widespread practice. However, reported complication and recurrence rates are variable, possibly, in part, because of a lack of consistency with reporting of the extent of cyst capsule removal.

Objective: To present the long-term outcomes of endoscopic resection of third ventricle colloid cysts without complete capsule removal and propose a grading system to allow consistent description of surgical outcomes. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2020 Jan 12;71:1-8. Epub 2019 Dec 12.

Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurosurgery, UT Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, USA.

Colloid cyst are cystic lesions in the third ventricle and could render patients asymptomatic. However, there is an inherent risk of symptomatic progression, acute decompensation, and sudden death. Therefore, there is no clear consensus as how to observe or when to treat a newly diagnosed patient with a colloid cyst. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Mar 16;135:100-102. Epub 2019 Dec 16.

Department of Neurosurgery, Nepean Public Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Background: The natural history of colloid cysts is imperfectly understood, and controversies remain in defining broad management strategies for incidental colloid cysts. The gradual asymptomatic regression of a colloid cyst has not been reported.

Case Description: We present a unique case demonstrating the clinically silent, gradual regression of a colloid cyst over many years. Read More

World Neurosurg 2020 Feb 7;134:e747-e753. Epub 2019 Nov 7.

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA.

Background: The Colloid Cyst Risk Score (CCRS) was devised to identify patients with symptomatic colloid cyst and stratify risk of hydrocephalus. The CCRS considers patient age, presence of headache, colloid cyst diameter, fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintensity, and location within the third ventricle.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to independently evaluate the validity of the CCRS. Read More

Surg Neurol Int 2019 30;10:169. Epub 2019 Aug 30.

Departments of Radiology, Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Brazil.

Background: Despite colloid cyst in the third ventricle is a very usual cause of hydrocephalus, its xanthogranulomatous variant is rare. The most important differential diagnosis is the third ventricular craniopharyngioma. To the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been few cases of xanthogranulomatous variant colloid cysts reported in the English literature. Read More

J Neurosurg 2019 Jun 28:1-9. Epub 2019 Jun 28.

1Center for Image Guided Innovation and Therapeutic Intervention, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto.

Objective: Endoscopic resection of third-ventricle colloid cysts is technically challenging due to the limited dexterity and visualization provided by neuroendoscopic instruments. Extensive training and experience are required to master the learning curve. To improve the education of neurosurgical trainees in this procedure, a synthetic surgical simulator was developed and its realism, procedural content, and utility as a training instrument were evaluated. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Aug 11;128:e116-e128. Epub 2019 Apr 11.

Department of Neurosurgery, Ca' Foncello Hospital, Treviso, Italy.

Background: The fornix is a region of greatest neurosurgical interest in regards to its complex anatomy and surgical approaches to this area. The objective of this study was to evaluate the morphology of the triangular recess (TR) and its role in the growth pattern of the colloid cysts (CC) within the third ventricle and in the choice of the surgical approach for their removal. Furthermore, to compare the results of the dissections with measurements performed on a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 05 8;125:e812-e819. Epub 2019 Feb 8.

Lexington Brain and Spine Institute, Lexington Medical Center, Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: Deep-seated brain tumors are often best treated by primary surgical excision. Traditional microsurgical techniques can cause retraction injury and require extensive brain dissection. To mitigate this risk, stereotactic-guided tubular retractors were developed; however, the risk of shear injury remains. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 05 1;125:e602-e611. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Department of Neurosurgery, Ibn Sina Hospital, Kuwait City, Kuwait.

Background: The main criticism of endoscopic excision of colloid cysts of the third ventricle is the decreased ability to completely resect the cyst wall, therefore increasing the risk of recurrence. The extent of resection varies widely across the endoscopic series and is largely influenced by the surgical technique. We report the results of the rotational technique for endoscopic transforaminal excision of colloid cysts in a series of consecutive patients. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 24;123:351-356. Epub 2018 Dec 24.

Carilion Clinic, Section of Neurosurgery, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA; Virginia Tech School of Neuroscience, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA; Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA.

Background: Colloid cysts of the third ventricle are rare, slow-growing lesions of neuroepithelial origin. Although histopathologically benign, third ventricular colloid cysts are a well-known cause of sudden, unexpected coma and death. Several theories have been proposed to describe the rare, sudden onset of severe symptomatology and rapid clinical decline due to colloid cysts. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Mar 19;123:286-294. Epub 2018 Dec 19.

Hamad Medical Corporate, Neurosurgery, Doha, Qatar.

Background: Primary central nervous system lymphoma is a rare malignant tumor of the central nervous system. It is associated with poor prognosis and accounts for 0.7%-0. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2019 Apr 27;62:133-137. Epub 2018 Nov 27.

Department of Radiology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Radiology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia.

Purpose: To determine the incidence of the 'dot sign' in patients with colloid cysts of the third ventricle and to characterise its MRI appearances.

Materials And Methods: Single institution retrospective analysis between January 2007 and October 2016 of all patients with either an imaging or imaging and histology-confirmed diagnosis of colloid cysts of the 3rd ventricle was undertaken. For all cases, MRI signal intensities of the cyst fluid component were graded by two independent radiologists relative to brain parenchyma. Read More

World Neurosurg 2019 Feb 12;122:e279-e284. Epub 2018 Oct 12.

Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA. Electronic address:

Objective: Patients with hydrocephalus secondary to third ventricular colloid cysts can require bilateral external ventricular drain (EVD) placement while awaiting surgery. However, some patients could develop auto-fenestration of the septum pellucidum (AFSP) and only require 1 EVD. We evaluated our experience with bedside iohexol ventriculography and staged EVD placement for patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2019 05;16(5):571-579

Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida.

Background: Colloid cysts are challenging lesions to access. Various surgical approaches are utilized which all require brain retraction, creating focal pressure, local trauma, and potentially surgical morbidity. Recently, tubular retractors have been developed that reduce retraction pressure by distributing it radially. Read More

Australas Phys Eng Sci Med 2018 Sep 9;41(3):697-711. Epub 2018 Jul 9.

Department of Neurosurgery, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

Over 90% of craniopharyngeal brain tumors are cystic, which enables the injection of beta emitters such as phosphorus-32 (P) radio-colloid into cysts for their treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical and theoretical modelling of Bremsstrahlung radiation dose resulting from stereotactic radio-colloid therapy of cystic craniopharyngioma tumors with P. P radio-colloid with appropriate activity concentration was injected to a head phantom, and then the Bremsstrahlung radiation spectrum and planar images were obtained using a gamma camera. Read More

BMJ Case Rep 2018 Jun 8;2018. Epub 2018 Jun 8.

Department of Psychiatry Aabenraa, Mental Health Services Region of Southern Denmark, Aabenraa, Denmark.

This report presents a young woman with psychotic symptoms that were highly suspicious of schizophrenia. Previous attempts of antidepressant therapy of mood symptoms had been ineffective. However, she also presented with discrete signs of an underlying neurological condition, and as a part of the diagnostic workup, neuroimaging revealed ventriculomegaly. Read More

Radiologe 2018 Jul;58(7):646-652

Universität des Saarlandes, Homburg/Saar, Deutschland.

Clinical Issue: Headache is the most common symptom of colloid cysts, Rathke cysts, and craniopharyngioma due to their location in the midline, being extra-axial and typically presenting in the parasellar region.

Therapeutic Problems: Although these tumors are generally considered benign, each has its typical characteristics defined by its location and histology. These individual characteristics define whether surgery is necessary at all and if so, the preferred surgical approach and resection's totality. Read More

J Clin Neurosci 2018 Jul 3;53:122-126. Epub 2018 May 3.

Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Health, Melbourne, Australia(1); Department of Surgery, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia(2). Electronic address:

Objective: Clinical significance and management of asymptomatic colloid cysts of the third ventricle is not well defined. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk of cyst progression necessitating surgical intervention during a surveillance period.

Methods: A systematic pooled analysis of the literature was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Read More

Oper Neurosurg (Hagerstown) 2018 Nov;15(5):E53-E54

Department of Neurosurgery, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A 26-year-old woman presented to our clinic with years of headaches and mental clouding. She had a nonfocal neurological examination including benign ophthalmological examination. Head computed tomography and brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated asymmetry of the lateral ventricles due to a lesion arising from the foramen of Monro. Read More