Can ventriculomegaly cause brain damage?
Typically, ventriculomegaly only requires treatment if it causes hydrocephalus. Since the excessive pressure caused by the buildup of cerebrospinal fluid in hydrocephalus can lead to serious, long-term neurological damage, prompt treatment is a must.
Does ventriculomegaly mean Down syndrome?
Trisomy 21 Ventriculomegaly is defined as a width of 10 mm or greater of the lateral ventricles at the level of the atria (Fig. 151.4). It is associated with an increased risk of aneuploidy, including Down syndrome. In a large series of 2743 cases, 3.8% of fetuses had aneuploidy, and 2% of all cases had Down syndrome.
Can enlarged brain ventricles be normal?
The brain may shrink in older patients or those with Alzheimer’s disease, and CSF volume increases to fill the extra space. In these instances, the ventricles are enlarged, but the pressure usually is normal.
Can ventriculomegaly be misdiagnosed?
Some structural central nervous system (CNS) anomalies, such as holoprosencephaly, hydranencephaly, porencephaly, or schizencephaly, and cystic lesions, such as arachnoid cysts, result in abnormal fluid collections in the fetal brain that may be misdiagnosed as ventriculomegaly, although these anomalies do not truly …
How can ventriculomegaly affect my child?
Spaces within the brain – called ventricles – are also filled with CSF. In a normal infant’s brain, the ventricles are about 10 millimeters wide. In a baby with ventriculomegaly, CSF becomes trapped in the ventricles and they expand, putting extra – potentially dangerous – pressure on the brain.
How common is ventriculomegaly in fetus?
Frequency. The incidence of isolated fetal ventriculomegaly is 0.5 to 1.5 per 1000 pregnancies.
What can ventriculomegaly cause?
Without signs of increased pressure in the brain, (hydrocephalus) most likely will not cause any problems. However, it can be linked with hydrocephalus and other problems. Ventriculomegaly can be diagnosed during pregnancy and occurs in around two per cent of all pregnancies.
Can ventriculomegaly be benign?
Ventriculomegaly usually occurs spontaneously, meaning children do not inherit ventriculomegaly from their parents. However, benign familial macrocephaly (a predisposition to having a larger head, which is sometimes due to a problem with the brain, such as ventriculomegaly) is hereditary, meaning it runs in the family.
What is fetal ventriculomegaly?
Fetal ventriculomegaly is a congenital finding that affects the brain. The contents of the brain consist primarily of brain tissue, blood and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
How common is ventriculomegaly in babies?
If the ventricles are more than 15 mm wide, the enlargement is considered severe. Fetal ventriculomegaly occurs in approximately one in every 1,000 births, and in roughly half of the cases, there are no other findings or abnormalities in the baby.
How is ventriculomegaly diagnosed in babies?
Ventriculomegaly is first found prenatally by the presence of enlarged ventricles (greater than 10 mm). Newborns with mild ventriculomegaly may have no signs or symptoms. When children develop hydrocephalus, one or more of the following symptoms may occur: What Causes Ventriculomegaly? Ventriculomegaly develops early in pregnancy.
What is ventriculomegaly and what causes it?
Ventriculomegaly is a condition in which the brain ventricles, or fluid-filled cavities, are enlarged due to build up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is a fluid that protects the brain and spinal cord. The severity of ventriculomegaly depends on how enlarged the brain is.