What Causes Ventriculomegaly ?
The lateral ventricles may become enlarged if the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid
from the lateral ventricles is blocked at the interventricular foramen( foramen of Monro). The
interventricular foramen may be congenitally malformed, or may have become
obstructed by infection, hemorrhage , or a tumor [6-9].
Ventriculomegaly may be associated with other malformations
such as agenesis
of the corpus callosum, spina bifida, and heart defects [5].
Fetuses with ventriculomegaly and additional abnormal ultrasound findings are at greater risk
for having a chromosomal abnormality (usually Down
syndrome) [2, 3, 10].
Other investigations that may be
considered [ 5, 10-12 ]:
- Amniocentesis for chromosome analysis
- Maternal blood IgM and IgG for toxoplasmosis, cytomegalovirus, and
parvovirus.
- Fetal echocardiography
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the fetal nervous
system.
Will The Condition Get Better?
Isolated mild ventriculomegaly may be expected to remain unchanged in 60
percent of cases and to resolve in one-third of cases. The ventricles can
be expected to enlarge in approximately 8 percent of fetuses.
Isolated ventriculomegaly greater than or equal to 12 mm is associated with
normal neurodevelopment in approximately 77% of cases. Whereas isolated ventriculomegaly of less than 12 mm is associated with
normal neurodevelopment in 97% of cases [5].
See Also:
REFERENCES
1. Cardoza, JD, Goldstein, RB, Filly, RA. Exclusion of fetal ventriculomegaly with a single measurement: the width of the lateral ventricular atrium. Radiology 1988; 169:711-714.
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2. Nicolaides, KH, Berry, S, Snijders, RJM, Thrope-Beeston, JG, and Godsen, C. Fetal lateral cerebral ventriculomegaly: associated malformations and chromosomal defects. Fetal Diagn Ther 1990;5:5-14
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3. Pilu G, Falco P, Gabrielli S, Perolo A, Sandri F, Bovicelli L. The clinical significance of fetal isolated cerebral borderline ventriculomegaly: report of 31 cases and review of the literature.Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1999;5;320-6
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prenatally diagnosed mild unilateral cerebral ventriculomegaly. J Ultrasound
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outcome of mild fetal ventriculomegaly.Am J Obstet Gynecol.1998;178:218-222.
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unilateral ventriculomegaly. Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol 1999;14:327-332.
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Monro. Case report. J Neurosurg. 1983;59:889-901.
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9. Oi S, Yamada H, Sasaki K, et al. Atresia of the foramen of Monro resulting in severe unilateral hydrocephalus with
subfascial herniation and infratentorial diverticulum. Neurosurgery.1985;16: 103-106.
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10. Achiron R, Schimmel M, Achiron A, et al. Fetal mild
idiopathic lateral ventriculomegaly: is there a correlation with fetal trisomy?
Ultrasound Obstet Gynecol. 1993;4:89-92.PUBMED
11. Levine D, Barnes PD, Madsen JR, et al. Central nervous system abnormalities assessed with prenatal magnetic resonance imaging.
Obstet Gynecol.1999;94:1011-1019.
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12. Fetal serum interferon-alpha suggests viral infection as the aetiology of unexplained lateral cerebral ventriculomegaly.
Prenat Diagn.1996;16(10):883-92.PUBMED