DIVERTICULUM OF THE LATERAL VENTRICLE EXTENDING INTO THE POSTERIOR CRANIAL FOSSA: REPORT OF A CASE SUCCESSFULLY RELIEVED BY OPERATION

Spontaneous third ventriculostomy

Spontaneous ventriculostomy (SV) is a rare condition where there is a spontaneous communication between the ventricle and the subarachnoid space as a result of hydrocephalus. Only four cases of SV through the floor of the third ventricle have been previously reported. Two further cases are presented and the literature reviewed.

Pathogenesis and diagnostic pitfalls of ventricular diverticula: case report and review of the literature

OBJECTIVE AND IMPORTANCE

Ventricular diverticula are local herniations of the ventricular system occurring in association with severe, long-standing hydrocephalus. Variability in the extent and location of these ventricular pouches may produce misleading radiological conformations and raise diagnostic challenges. In this report, we discuss the pathogenesis and differential diagnosis of ventricular diverticula on the basis of a case illustration.

CLINICAL PRESENTATION

We report the case of a 38-year-old woman presenting with hydrocephalus secondary to an obstructive lesion of the third ventricle. A large, dilated structure compressing the brainstem was present in the posterior fossa.

INTERVENTION

The posterior fossa lesion was identified as an atrial diverticulum by injection of contrast medium into the right lateral ventricle, which led to immediate enhancement of the infratentorial cavity. Ventricular drainage and removal of the third ventricular lesion, a colloid cyst, allowed progressive collapse of the diverticulum and symptom resolution.

CONCLUSION

This report discusses the pathogenesis of ventricular diverticula and demonstrates that ventriculography can be used to differentiate atrial diverticula from other posterior fossa lesions when time-consuming multiplanar magnetic resonance imaging cannot be afforded on an emergency basis.

Subtentorial diverticulum of the third ventricle associated with a mural cavernous angioma in a child

The authors describe a case of a large subtentorial supracollicular diverticulum of the third ventricle associated with a cavernous angioma in its wall in a 6-year-old girl who presented with developmental delay and obstructive hydrocephalus. This is the first case in which such association has been diagnosed and successfully treated. The literature is reviewed, and the possible relationship between these two rare lesions is discussed.

Ventricular diverticulum

A ventricular diverticulum was found on computed tomography in six out of 25 cases of congenital obstructive hydrocephalus. In all six cases, the diverticulum was located on the medial wall of the trigone. In three cases, it was restricted to the tentorial hiatus with a recognisable superior cerebellar cistern (small). In two cases, it occupied the tentorial hiatus without a recognisable cistern (medium). The remaining case had a diverticulum extending into the posterior fossa that caused cerebellar ataxia (large). In all patients, the diverticulum regressed after ventriculo-peritoneal shunt. The characteristics of the computed tomograms, the clinical significance and the pathogenesis of this phenomenon are discussed.

Diverticulum of the lateral ventricle causing cerebellar ataxia. Case report

A case of ventricular diverticulum causing cerebellar ataxia is presented. Computerized tomography clearly demonstrated the aperture of the diverticulum in the medial wall of the trigone and its extension into the posterior fossa. The diverticulum regressed and the cerebellar ataxia disappeared after placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt.

Spontaneous lateral ventriculocisternostomy documented by metrizamide CT ventriculography. Case report

In a patient with partially shunted obstructive hydrocephalus from a third ventricular astrocytoma, metrizamide ventriculography combined with computerized tomography demonstrated spontaneous ventriculocisternostomy with passage of contrast material from the atrium into the choroid fissure and posterior subarachnoid space.

Congenital ventriculocisternostomy. Case report

A case of congenital ventriculocisternostomy is reported. This infant presented with occipital meningocele. Conray ventriculography demonstrated a spontaneous ventriculocisternostomy and stenosis of the aqueduct. The case is discussed and pertinent literature reviewed.

Congenital atresia of the foramen of Monro

Two cases of congenital atresia of the foramen of Monro are described, one 8 days old and the other 2 months old. Both are associated with a parieto-occipital paraventricular diverticulum and spontaneous ventriculostomy with the passing of the cerebrospinal fluid to the posterior fossa and the formation of a cyst in the supracerebella region which compressed and displaced the structures of the posterior fossa.

Spontaneous rupture of the third ventricle in obstructive hydrocephalus: a radiographic diagnosis

Two cases of posterior fossa tumours with spontaneous rupture of the third ventricle are presented. In the first case there was dramatic relief of symptoms of raised intracranial tension. Rupture of the supra-pineal recess was demonstrated by Conray ventriculography in both cases.