Ventriculomegaly in childhood bacterial meningitis

Sixty-seven of 125 children with bacterial meningitis had computerized tomography (CT) of the head. Ventriculomegaly was the most common abnormality on CT occurring in twenty-eight cases. Progressive enlargement of the ventricular system occurred without evidence of persistent increased intracranial pressure, although early in the illness increased intracranial pressure was usually present. Factors other than persistent increased pressure appear to cause ventriculomegaly in some cases. Ventricular enlargement on CT in the absence of clinical evidence of increased intracranial pressure may not be an indication for surgical intervention.