Congenital Marked Communicated Hydrocephalus

Article

Case History: A 3-month-old make presented with marked skull enlargement and widening sutures and fontanelles.

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"17704","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","id":"media_crop_7207944479258","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"1083","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","title":" ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

FIGURE  A

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"17705","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","id":"media_crop_9218606327683","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"1084","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","title":" ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

 

FIGURE B

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"17706","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","id":"media_crop_8385287929690","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"1085","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","title":" ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

 

FIGURE C

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"17707","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","id":"media_crop_385294940275","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"1086","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","title":" ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

 

FIGURE D

[[{"type":"media","view_mode":"media_crop","fid":"17708","attributes":{"alt":"","class":"media-image","id":"media_crop_2029170738803","media_crop_h":"0","media_crop_image_style":"-1","media_crop_instance":"1087","media_crop_rotate":"0","media_crop_scale_h":"0","media_crop_scale_w":"0","media_crop_w":"0","media_crop_x":"0","media_crop_y":"0","title":" ","typeof":"foaf:Image"}}]]

 

FIGURE E

Findings: MDCT (Figs. A, B, C) showing marked dilatation of the ventricular system of the brain. Reduced brain mantel effaced against the skull. 3D reconstructed images (Figs. D, E) showing thinning expanded skull bone with very widened sutures and fontanelles.

Diagnosis: Congenital marked communicated hydrocephalus

Discussion: Hydrocephalus occurs in approximately one out of 500 births. The following are the primary reasons why hydrocephalus occurs:
• Blockage of the CSF flow inside of the head
• Problems absorbing the CSF
• Overproduction of CSF (rare)

Hydrocephalus can occur either as a condition present at birth (congenital), or it can be acquired later in life. When hydrocephalus isn't related to a known genetic cause, it's thought that many factors, both genetic and environmental, contribute to the condition. In a small percentage of babies, a single gene defect on the X chromosome, or another chromosome, is responsible for the condition. If a child has been born with hydrocephalus not known to be caused by a single gene defect, the chance of it occurring in another child is 1 to 5 percent.

Causes of acquired hydrocephalus may include the following:
• Tumor
• Infection
• Prematurity
• Bleeding inside the head
• Birth injury
• Abnormal blood vessel formation inside of the head
• Trauma

References
1. Hydrocephalus. American Association of Neurological Surgeons. http://www.aans.org/Patient%20Information/Conditions%20and%20Treatments/Hydrocephalus.aspx. Accessed June 11, 2011.
2. Hydrocephalus fact sheet. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/hydrocephalus/detail_hydrocephalus.htm. Accessed June 10, 2011.
3. Fishman MA. Hydrocephalus. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 10, 2011. 4. Diagnosis of hydrocephalus. Hydrocephalus Association. https://www.hydroassoc.org/hydrocephalus-education-and-support/learning-about-hydrcephalus/diagnosis-of-hydrocephalus. Accessed June 11, 2011.

Doaa Ibrahim, MD in radio-diagnosis, Zagazig University Hospitals and TechnoScan Centers in Egypt

Recent Videos
SNMMI: 18F-Piflufolastat PSMA PET/CT Offers High PPV for Local PCa Recurrence Regardless of PSA Level
SNMMI: NIH Researcher Discusses Potential of 18F-Fluciclovine for Multiple Myeloma Detection
SNMMI: What Tau PET Findings May Reveal About Modifiable Factors for Alzheimer’s Disease
Emerging Insights on the Use of FES PET for Women with Lobular Breast Cancer
Can Generative AI Reinvent Radiology Reporting?: An Interview with Samir Abboud, MD
Mammography Study Reveals Over Sixfold Higher Risk of Advanced Cancer Presentation with Symptom-Detected Cancers
Combining Advances in Computed Tomography Angiography with AI to Enhance Preventive Care
Study: MRI-Based AI Enhances Detection of Seminal Vesicle Invasion in Prostate Cancer
What New Research Reveals About the Impact of AI and DBT Screening: An Interview with Manisha Bahl, MD
Can AI Assessment of Longitudinal MRI Scans Improve Prediction for Pediatric Glioma Recurrence?
Related Content
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.