Treatment: ETV & Other Procedures
ETV plus CPC (ETV/CPC)
ETV/CPC is a combined procedure pairing endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization, used especially in infants.
In short: ETV plus CPC (ETV/CPC)
- It combines ETV (bypassing a blockage) with CPC (reducing production).
- It is used especially in infants, where ETV alone may be less successful.
- It aims to control hydrocephalus while avoiding a shunt.
- Suitability depends on the cause and the child's situation.
What it is
ETV/CPC is a combined endoscopic procedure that pairs endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) — creating a new CSF pathway to bypass a blockage — with choroid plexus cauterization (CPC) — reducing CSF production. It is used especially in infants.
Understanding ETV plus CPC (ETV/CPC)
Because ETV alone tends to be less successful in young infants, combining it with CPC (reducing how much CSF is produced) can improve the chances of controlling hydrocephalus without a shunt in this age group. This combined approach was developed and popularized particularly through experience treating infants, including in regions where shunt follow-up and revision are difficult, making shunt avoidance especially valuable. ETV/CPC is performed in a single endoscopic procedure. Its suitability depends on factors such as the cause of the hydrocephalus, the anatomy, and the child's age, and not every infant is a candidate. When successful, ETV/CPC can provide shunt-free control of hydrocephalus.
Why it matters
Understanding ETV/CPC helps families see how combining two endoscopic strategies can improve the chances of controlling hydrocephalus without a shunt in infants, for whom ETV alone may be less reliable.
Common questions
What does ETV/CPC combine?
ETV (bypassing a blockage) and CPC (reducing CSF production).
Why combine them in infants?
ETV alone is often less successful in young infants.
What is the goal?
To control hydrocephalus while avoiding a shunt.
Bottom line
ETV/CPC combines endoscopic third ventriculostomy with choroid plexus cauterization, used especially in infants to control hydrocephalus while avoiding a shunt.
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