Ventriculomegaly Symptoms, Prognosis, Causes, Treatment
Naturally, the human brain has colorless fluid called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The CSF is actually responsible for the making a cushion between the brain and the spinal cord. As the brain and the spinal cord are termed as the basic component of the nervous systems, the CSF can actually protect the brain and the spinal cord against any kind of jolt. In Ventriculomegaly, the human brain gets the larger fluid filled in the lateral ventricles of the brain. In Ventriculomegaly the size of the lateral ventricles is the major issue, normally patient suffering from Ventriculomegaly does have the ventricles size more than 100 millimeters.
The mild ventriculomegaly is often associated with other cranial anomalies or intracranial cerebral hypoplasia, multiple intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral tumor, craniomyostenosis, glen aneurism malformation vein, dandy Walker malformations, and others. The mild ventriculomegaly is also associated with additional CNS disorders such as chromosomal aberrations, genetic diseases, cytomegalovirus infection, rubella, toxoplasmosis, etc. It is difficult to assess postnatal prognosis simply by intrauterine growth or resolution of ventricular enlargement during pregnancy.
Ventriculomegaly can be diagnosed at the earlier stage. The infants with the minor problem of ventriculomegaly don’t have symptoms at first but as the Ventriculomegaly progresses with the age it can show signs and the symptoms. Some of the symptoms that can indicate the problem of Ventriculomegaly are the abnormal head growth. At the same time, there could be abnormal fontanel as well. The scalp veins of the patient can be swollen. The development of the infants with Ventriculomegaly is often slow. There could be issues with the sleeping habits as well. The infants with the problem of Ventriculomegaly are not good at feeding at all.
As Ventriculomegaly is a problem in which the ventricles are abnormally enlarged. The enlargement of ventricles can be due to a number of reasons. The problem of the Ventriculomegaly can develop at the earlier stage of the pregnancy. The problem of Ventriculomegaly can arise due to multiple causes. Ventriculomegaly can be because of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the CSF fluid accumulates in the ventricles. Secondly, hydrocephalus can because of imbalance in the fluid circulation in the brain. The brain development issues can also be one of the causes for hydrocephalus. In case if there is a brain damage done to the tissues it can also cause Ventriculomegaly.
As far as the Ventriculomegaly treatment is concerned, there are two basic methods followed in treating the issue. As the signs of Ventriculomegaly are quite clear in the infants, the excess CSF fluid is to be removed from the brain. There is a shunt used to drain out the fluid from the lateral ventricles. The shunt us a silicone tube that is elongated enough to reach the brain. The fluid is either drained to the abdomen or more rarely to the heart. The value of the shunt can drain out the fluid at multiple rates. A second method is surgical in which the fluid is removed from the lateral ventricles without the use of shunt.
The Ventriculomegaly prognosis depends upon multiple factors. The first factor is the type of abnormality that is present in the patient. Sometimes there is a mild Ventriculomegaly issue specifically in infants. In some cases the problem is severe. Another factor is the timing of the diagnosis. It is very important for the patient to have the diagnosis at the right time. In the case of pregnancy, the females are advised to have multiple scans. These scans can identify the issue to Ventriculomegaly. In case if there is something found before the 24 weeks of gestation than the abortion is often suggested to the patients.
The mild ventriculomegaly is often associated with other cranial anomalies or intracranial cerebral hypoplasia, multiple intracerebral hemorrhage, cerebral tumor, craniomyostenosis, glen aneurism malformation vein, dandy Walker malformations, and others. The mild ventriculomegaly is also associated with additional CNS disorders such as chromosomal aberrations, genetic diseases, cytomegalovirus infection, rubella, toxoplasmosis, etc. It is difficult to assess postnatal prognosis simply by intrauterine growth or resolution of ventricular enlargement during pregnancy.
Ventriculomegaly Symptoms
Ventriculomegaly can be diagnosed at the earlier stage. The infants with the minor problem of ventriculomegaly don’t have symptoms at first but as the Ventriculomegaly progresses with the age it can show signs and the symptoms. Some of the symptoms that can indicate the problem of Ventriculomegaly are the abnormal head growth. At the same time, there could be abnormal fontanel as well. The scalp veins of the patient can be swollen. The development of the infants with Ventriculomegaly is often slow. There could be issues with the sleeping habits as well. The infants with the problem of Ventriculomegaly are not good at feeding at all.
Ventriculomegaly Causes
As Ventriculomegaly is a problem in which the ventricles are abnormally enlarged. The enlargement of ventricles can be due to a number of reasons. The problem of the Ventriculomegaly can develop at the earlier stage of the pregnancy. The problem of Ventriculomegaly can arise due to multiple causes. Ventriculomegaly can be because of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus is a condition in which the CSF fluid accumulates in the ventricles. Secondly, hydrocephalus can because of imbalance in the fluid circulation in the brain. The brain development issues can also be one of the causes for hydrocephalus. In case if there is a brain damage done to the tissues it can also cause Ventriculomegaly.
Ventriculomegaly treatment
As far as the Ventriculomegaly treatment is concerned, there are two basic methods followed in treating the issue. As the signs of Ventriculomegaly are quite clear in the infants, the excess CSF fluid is to be removed from the brain. There is a shunt used to drain out the fluid from the lateral ventricles. The shunt us a silicone tube that is elongated enough to reach the brain. The fluid is either drained to the abdomen or more rarely to the heart. The value of the shunt can drain out the fluid at multiple rates. A second method is surgical in which the fluid is removed from the lateral ventricles without the use of shunt.
Ventriculomegaly prognosis
The Ventriculomegaly prognosis depends upon multiple factors. The first factor is the type of abnormality that is present in the patient. Sometimes there is a mild Ventriculomegaly issue specifically in infants. In some cases the problem is severe. Another factor is the timing of the diagnosis. It is very important for the patient to have the diagnosis at the right time. In the case of pregnancy, the females are advised to have multiple scans. These scans can identify the issue to Ventriculomegaly. In case if there is something found before the 24 weeks of gestation than the abortion is often suggested to the patients.
Ventriculomegaly Symptoms, Prognosis, Causes, Treatment
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
January 30, 2017
Rating:
Reviewed by Simon Albert
on
January 30, 2017
Rating:
