Choroid plexus coagulation for pediatric hydrocephalus: review of historical aspects and rebirth

This study aims to review historical aspects and rebirth of the endoscopic choroid plexus coagulation (CPC) for pediatric hydrocephalus. The first CPC procedure goes back to early 1930s. After the development of other treatment methods and the understanding of CSF dynamics, the application of CPC dramatically decreased by 1970s. In 2000s, there was a rebirth of CPC in combination with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV), and remains one of the options for the treatment of pediatric hydrocephalus in selected cases. CPC might provide a temporary reduction in CSF production to allow the further development of CSF absorption in infant, and adding to ETV for infants with communicating hydrocephalus may increase the shunt independent rate thus avoiding the consequence of late complication related to the shunt device. This is important for patients who are difficult to be followed up, due to geographical and/or socioeconomic difficulties. And also adding CPC to ETV for obstructive hydrocephalus in infants younger than 1 year of age may also increase the successful rate. Furthermore, CPC may be an option for cases with high chance of shunt complication such as multiloculated hydrocephalus, extreme hydrocephalus and hydranencephaly. In comparison with the traditional treatment of CSF shunting, the role of CPC needs to be further evaluated in particular concerning the neurocognitive development.