Endoscopic third ventriculostomy in infants of less than 1�year of age: which factors influence the outcome?

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a successful method of treatment for obstructive hydrocephalus. In infants, however, it is reported to have a higher failure rate. On the basis of our own data and a meta-analysis of the literature, we try to define factors prognosticating potential failure in infants aged less than 1 year. Data were collected retrospectively. Between October 1994 and October 2002, 20 ETVs were performed in 16 patients younger than 1 year. Ages ranged from 8 to 311 days (median 103). Etiology was aqueductal stenosis in all 16 patients (idiopathic in 7, posthemorrhagic in 3, postmeningitic in 3, and related to CNS or vascular malformation in 3). ETV failure was defin…