Lateral ventricle enlargement

Introduction The standard method for prenatal ultrasound examination to determine whether the ventricle is widened and the degree of lesions is to measure the width of the lateral ventricle. The width of the normal lateral ventricle is 10 mm, with an average of 7 mm. The lateral ventricle width is greater than 10 mm, which is called lateral ventricle widening.

Cause

Lateral ventricle widening is caused by abnormalities of the central nervous system such as dysplasia or local occupying of the midline of the brain. It can also be an intracranial manifestation of other systemic abnormalities in the body, such as chromosomal abnormalities and viral infections.

an examination

If lateral ventricle widening is suspected in ultrasound screening, it should be measured and evaluated, with detailed examination of the presence of other structural abnormalities or genetic markers.

Karyotype analysis is recommended.

Because the lateral ventricle widening is also associated with intrauterine infection, TORCH virus screening is recommended.

MRI (nuclear magnetic resonance) examination is recommended to assist with the exclusion of central nervous system diseases.

Differential diagnosis

Differential diagnosis of lateral ventricle widening:

1, severe ventricle widening: (ventricle width 15 mm, also known as hydrocephalus) refers to excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the ventricular system, lateral ventricular system expansion, increased pressure, ultrasound showed ventricular enlargement width. Generally, the lateral ventricle triangle area is widened by 1.5 cm, and the ventricle is enlarged, and the wider the degree, the heavier. If the triangle is 1.2 to 1.4 cm wide and the choroid plexus is more than 50% in the ventricle, it is generally considered normal. If the choroid plexus shrinks and is suspended, it is considered that there is hydrocephalus.

2, mild lateral ventricle widening: defined as the lateral ventricle diameter 10mm, and 15mm. The lateral ventricle diameter <10 mm is considered to be in the normal physiological range.

3, isolated mild lateral ventricle widening: refers to the prenatal system ultrasound examination without other abnormal findings. About 10% of the isolated mild lateral ventricle widened fetuses are chromosomal abnormalities, the most common of which are the trisomy 21, and the viral infection during pregnancy, especially cytomegalovirus infection, often leads to isolated lateral ventricle widening and ventricles. Abnormal performance such as mixed echoes.

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