This video shows Fetus with ventriculomegaly and hydrocephalus.
Approximately 1 in every 500 American babies is born with hydrocephalus. It may be caused by an infection in the mother during pregnancy, such as rubella or mumps, or a birth defect, such as spina bifida. It is one of the most common developmental disabilities, more common than Down syndrome or deafness.
The difference between ventriculomegaly and hydrocephalus:-
Ventriculomegaly is the medical term used to describe enlargement of the ventricles of the brain. Hydrocephalus is the term used when enlargement of the ventricles has been caused by an increase in the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) within them.
Hydrocephalus is a condition in which there is too much CSF in the ventricles. This occurs when the natural system for draining and absorbing extra CSF does not work right. The slow enlargement of the ventricles means that the fluid pressure in the brain may not be as high as in other types of hydrocephalus.
Ventriculomegaly represents an enlargement of the fluid collecting system in the brain. It is a pathologic process that has many causes.
1). It may occur due to obstruction of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow, as a consequence of abnormal development of the ventricles or as part of a destructive process as seen in cerebral atrophy. The presence of ventriculomegaly signals an underlying, abnormal central nervous process and is often the first sign of associated abnormalities in organ structures other than the brain.
2). One of the more common causes is due to a narrowing (stenosis) of the tube that connects the 3rd and 4th ventricle (Aqueduct of Sylvius), thereby resulting in the accumulation of CSF.
3). Other common causes involve abnormal brain development such as a Dandy-Walker malformation (abnormal development of the cerebellum) or agenesis of the corpus callosum.
4). Chromosomal abnormalities often include ventriculomegaly as one of the physical manifestations.
If your child has mildly enlarged brain ventricles or ventriculomegaly without other complications, the condition may resolve on its own. When hydrocephalus is more severe or progresses, timely treatment is important.
Mild ventriculomegaly means that one or both of the baby's lateral ventricles are slightly larger than usual. Ventricles measuring between 10 to15 mm are called “mild” ventriculomegaly. Mild ventriculomegaly is different from the more severe form of ventriculomegaly, hydrocephalus, or “water on the brain”.
The chance that mild ventriculomegaly represents a normal variant decreases with increasing degrees of dilation. Mild ventriculomegaly is likely to represent a normal variant if no other structural abnormalities are noted and if aneuploidy screening or diagnostic genetic testing results are normal.
Ventriculomegaly can be due to changes in the normal flow of brain fluid or changes in the development of the brain. The ventricles are connected to the spinal cord and the covering of the brain. These connections let fluid flow through the baby's brain and spine.
Ventriculomegaly will significantly worsen in approximately 2-5% of cases. In many fetuses, particularly those with borderline ventriculomegaly, the condition will resolve spontaneously resulting in a normal outcome. If ventriculomegaly is isolated, without significant head enlargement, vaginal delivery is reasonable.
