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External hydrocephalus: radiologic spectrum and differentiation from cerebral atrophy
AJR. American Journal of Roentgenology
|June 1, 1987
Summary
External hydrocephalus (EH) in infants is characterized by an enlarged head and specific CT scan findings. This age-related, self-limited condition typically resolves without intervention by age three.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Radiology
- Neuroimaging
- Infant Neurology
Background:
- External hydrocephalus (EH) presents as rapidly enlarging heads in infants.
- CT scans show widened subarachnoid spaces with minimal ventricular dilation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify radiologic features of EH in infants.
- To understand the clinical and radiologic evolution of EH.
- To differentiate EH from cerebral atrophy on CT scans.
Main Methods:
- Clinical examination and CT scans of 74 infants with EH.
- Comparison of EH CT scans with those of patients with cerebral atrophy.
Main Results:
- Characteristic CT findings include bifrontal subarachnoid space widening and widened interhemispheric fissure.
- EH findings are distinguishable from cerebral atrophy, which shows diffuse prominent sulci.
- Two main infant groups identified: primary megaloencephaly (47 infants) and those with CNS/systemic insults (14 infants).
- Thirteen premature infants with EH were also identified.
Conclusions:
- External hydrocephalus is an age-related, self-limited condition in infants with open sutures.
- EH typically resolves spontaneously by 2-3 years of age without intervention.
- Radiologic abnormalities in infants with primary megaloencephaly usually resolve by age two.