The Role of the Liliequist Membrane in the Third Ventriculostomy

Endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) is a hydrocephalus treatment procedure that involves opening the Liliequist membrane (LM). However, LM anatomy has not been well-studied neuroendoscopically, because approach angles differ between descriptive and microsurgical anatomical explorations. Discrepancies in ETV efficacy, especially among children age 2 and younger, may be due to incomplete LM opening. The objective of this study was to characterize the LM anatomically from a neuroendoscopic perspective to better understand the impact of anatomical features during LM ostomy and the ETV success rate. Additionally, the ETV success score was tested to predict patient outcome after the intraoperatively difficult opening of LM. Fifty-four patients who underwent ETV were prospectively analyzed with a mean follow-up of 53.1 months (1-90 months). The ETV technical parameters of difficulty were validated by seven expert neurosurgeons. The pediatric population (44) of this study represents the majority of patients (81.4%). The overall ETV success rate was 68.5%. Anomalies on the IIIVT floor resulted in an increased rate of ETV failure. The IIIVT was anomalous, and LM was thick in 33.3% of cases. Fenestration of LM was difficult in 39% of cases, and the LM and TC were opened separately in 55.6% of cases. The endoscopic third ventriculostomy success score (ETVSS) accurately predicted the level of difficulty opening the LM (p = 0.012), and the group with easy opening presented greater durability in ETV success. Neurosurgeons should be aware of the difficulty level of the overture of LM during ETV and its impact on long-term ETV effectiveness.