[Follow-up of the lateral ventricles and their development in congenital hydrocephalus using sonograms. II]

Ultrasonographic observations of the development of the hydrocephalic lateral ventricles during the fetal period. Twenty-three pregnant women having a fetus with brain defects were followed up. Twenty had sonographically identified hydrocephalus and 3 others had a fetus with either porencephalia, cystencephalus or monstrous defect of the brain. The use of a ventricular model (see 1st communication) permitted an observation of the development of the volume of the lateral ventricles, the brain diameter and an estimation of the prognosis. Accompanying defects (e.g. spina bifida in 56% of cases) were noted. Detailed case studies, measurements, clinical observation of the course, combinations of defects, and special diagnostic measures were compared with postpartum conditions.