Pure ventriculoscopic resection of an intraventricular meningioma with a basket retriever through a single burr hole: illustrative case.

backgroundEndoscopic approaches are being increasingly used for the management of intraventricular lesions. These techniques, however, have important limitations and can result in significant postoperative complications. Here, the authors describe the novel use of a nontraditional neurosurgical device to aid in the resection of an intraventricular tumor. OBSERVATIONS: A 13-year-old male presented with obstructive hydrocephalus and a small intraventricular meningioma. Given the lesion's round shape, the authors expected it would be difficult to resect with conventional ventriculoscopic instruments. Hence, a basket retriever, designed for the removal of urological stones, was used in an endoscopic third ventriculostomy for obstructive hydrocephalus to capture and retract the tumor. Subsequently, the lesion was successfully resected and retrieved. LESSONS: The use of a flexible helical basket retriever as both an ETV perforator and a stabilizing "cage" for a mobile, pedunculated angioblast meningioma enabled gross-total resection and long-term stability. The small size and maneuverability of this device were well suited to endoscopic use and may be useful for similar resections of small, mobile intraventricular lesions. https://thejns.org/doi/10.3171/CASE26283.