Intratumoral hemorrhage and deadly upward transtentorial herniation after endoscopic third ventriculostomy in the management of posterior fossa tumor-related hydrocephalus – Case report and literature review

Abstract

The management of hydrocephalus associated with posterior fossa tumors in children has always been controversial. Studies show that 71%-90% of children with posterior fossa tumors already presented hydrocephalus on admission. Of these cases, 10%-62% will have persistent hydrocephalus after surgical treatment of the tumor. The shunt, although it is an important alternative for preoperative treatment in these cases is not without complications. Among the numerous complications identified by the literature, we highlight the most rare, intratumoral hemorrhage, upward transtentorial herniation and dissemination of neoplastic cells by the peritoneum. Medulloblastoma is considered the most common malignant pediatric tumor, comprising 15%-20% of all intracranial tumors in childhood. In addition, 5%-6% of primary or recurrent medulloblastomas may be associated with spontaneous bleeding and rapid deterioration. The bleeding presents with tumor swelling, extending to the ventricular system through the tumor capsule, increased intracranial pressure and upward transtentorial herniation. Tumoral hemorrhage associated with ventricular drainage for treatment of hydrocephalus in patients with medulloblastoma represents an extremely rare phenomenon. The endoscopy third-ventriculostomy (ETV) is known to be very useful in the treatment of intracranial hypertension preoperatively and prevent persistent postoperative hydrocephalus in cases associated with posterior fossa tumors, with efficacy superior to traditional ventricular shunts. We describe a case of intratumoral hemorrhage and upward transtentorial herniation associated with endoscopic third-ventriculostomy (ETV).