A pediatric experience with endoscopic third ventriculostomy for hydrocephalus.

Pediatric neuroscience nurses deal with many children with hydrocephalus. This paper will provide a review of hydrocephalus with a specific focus on third ventriculostomy. Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is an accepted treatment option for patients with obstructive hydrocephalus. At the Alberta Children's Hospital in Calgary, Alberta, we have been performing ETV for 15 years. This experience has helped us better understand the complications and benefits of ETV. The author will provide data on the complications specific to ETV in pediatric patients at the Alberta Children's Hospital. A case report comparing neurocognitive testing before and after ETV will be shared. An additional case report of a patient with a spontaneous third ventriculostomy will help illustrate our understanding of the natural history of hydrocephalus.