Observational, Prospective, and Multicenter Study to Evaluate Mortality, Infection Rates, and Number of Surgeries Related to Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy in Hydrocephalus Secondary to Infratentorial Tumors in Childhood and Adolescence

• Grant number: 24/16624-8
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2025
• End date: March 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Medicine - Surgery
• Principal Investigator: Marcos Devanir Silva da Costa
• Grantee: Guilherme Ávila Girotto de Camargo
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Posterior fossa tumors are the most common solid pediatric neoplasms, and over 60% of these tumors are associated with hydrocephalus, which can be treated through various strategies such as Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy (ETV), ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS), external ventricular drainage (EVD), or direct lesion resection without other diversion methods. The safest and most effective drainage method remains controversial in the literature, as each approach offers distinct advantages and disadvantages. Many studies are limited to a single center, and most are compromised by a limited number of participants, emphasizing the importance of multicenter and prospective studies. Objective: This study aims to determine the efficacy and safety of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy and assess its impact on the following variables: mortality rate, infection rate, number of surgeries related to hydrocephalus during the first year after the initial surgery to treat hydrocephalus, and complications during the first year following the initial surgery. Methods: This project is part of the broader study titled "OBSERVATIONAL, PROSPECTIVE, AND MULTICENTER STUDY TO EVALUATE MORTALITY, INFECTION RATES, AND NUMBER OF SURGERIES RELATED TO THE TREATMENT OF HYDROCEPHALUS SECONDARY TO INFRATENTORIAL TUMORS IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE." A non-randomized, prospective, controlled, multicenter clinical trial will be conducted to evaluate the effects of Endoscopic Third Ventriculostomy, focusing on mortality rate, infection rate, number of hydrocephalus-related surgeries, and complications during the first year following the initial hydrocephalus treatment surgery. Timeline: Begin monitoring already recruited patients and recruiting new patients starting in April 2025, analyze the data in February 2026, and prepare and submit the final Scientific Initiation report in March 2026.