NEURO-ENDOSCOPY

A neuro-endoscope, or endoscope, is a long,
narrow tube that has a camera lens and a light
source at the end. This is the same type of
equipment used to perform a colonoscopy – but
adapted for use in the brain. Neuro-endoscopes
are used to visualize hollow pathways in the
brain such as the ventricles. The endoscope is
inserted through a small hole in the skull, then
threaded into a ventricle. The endoscope
provides a lighted picture of the area as it
appears at that moment, in “real-time.” A
surgical laser can also be attached, giving the
neurosurgeon the ability to perform a biopsy
within the ventricle, to remove blockage from a
shunt, to remove tumors found in the ventricle,
and for the removal of cysts. Since this tool is long
and very narrow, an endoscope is generally not
used to remove larger tumors or tumors which
are accessible with traditional surgical tools.