What procedure involves drilling a hole in the skull and placing a tube into the lateral ventricles of the brain?

The procedure that involves drilling a hole in the skull and placing a tube into the lateral ventricles of the brain is known as a ventriculostomy. This is typically performed to manage conditions such as increased intracranial pressure or to allow for the drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).

During ventriculostomy, a hollow tube, or catheter, is inserted through the skull into the ventricles, where it can monitor pressure and drain excess fluid, helping to alleviate pressure on the brain. This is crucial in treatment protocols for managing hydrocephalus or communicating hydrocephalus, allowing for better management of the patient's condition.

The other procedures mentioned, such as lumbar puncture, MRI scan, and CT angiography, serve different purposes. A lumbar puncture is performed to collect cerebrospinal fluid from the lower back, an MRI scan creates detailed images of the brain, and CT angiography focuses on blood vessels, utilizing advanced imaging technology. None of these involve drilling into the skull or directly accessing the brain's ventricular system as ventriculostomy does. Hence, the focus on correctly identifying ventriculostomy aligns with understanding the specific surgical interventions related to brain ventricle access.