Parents are often, in 90% of cases, frightened when their child is diagnosed with asymmetry of the lateral ventricles of the brain. But is it really that scary? What is lateral ventricular asymmetry? What are the implications of this diagnosis? Should we be afraid of the asymmetry of the lateral ventricles of the brain, or does it mean nothing terrible? What about adults? Let's try to figure it out today.
What is this
The ventricles of the brain store cerebrospinal fluid (also known as cerebrospinal fluid). In the presence of pathologies, they may be increased in volume. The lateral ventricles are the largest in size. They have occipital, temporal, frontal horns and a central part.
What is lateral ventricular asymmetry? This is when one or both of the lateral ventricles are enlarged. The increase already indicates the presencepathology.
Reasons for appearance
Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles in adults may appear with age due to the increase in their size throughout his life. Diagnoses that entail dropsy of the brain (hydrocephalus) also contribute to an increase in the ventricles. This deviation can also occur in mentally ill people - schizophrenics and those suffering from bipolar disorder.
Do not panic if an asymmetry of the lateral ventricles of the brain was found in an infant or a newborn child. This is a fairly common occurrence, which can be caused by the fact that the child's head is smaller than necessary. In addition, premature babies have much larger ventricles than those born at term. There is nothing to fear here. The asymmetry of the lateral ventricles in the baby is an imaginary fear.
Main causes of newborn babies:
- intrauterine infections in the mother;
- asphyxia;
- birth trauma;
- hydrocephalus;
- brain hemorrhage;
- hypoxia (oxygen starvation);
- heredity;
- age of a pregnant woman over 35 (increased risk of pathology).
Types
Medics divide cases of enlargement of the lateral ventricles of the brain into two types:
- hypertensive;
- atrophic.
In 99% of cases, the cause of the asymmetry of the lateral ventricles is hypoxia. The remaining percentage remainsinfectious and rare diseases. That is why in most cases the asymmetry of the lateral ventricles is not dangerous for humans.
Hypertensive
With anoxia (i.e. lack of oxygen), cerebrospinal fluid is produced and accumulates, leading to increased pressure inside the skull (intracranial hypertension). Under this pressure, the ventricles increase, which can be seen during the passage of ultrasound (ultrasound).
How dangerous is the hypertensive type? In fact, it is only as dangerous as it is expressed. At best, a person feels only external discomfort. By the way, everyone who received a concussion experienced this discomfort.
Atrophic
This type is more dangerous than hypertensive. Don't worry, though, as it's fairly rare.
With atrophic development of the disease, hydrocephalus appears in case of severe oxygen starvation. It can also be caused by some diseases that have long been rare after significant blood loss or infection. Irreversible damage occurs in the brain, which can result in such serious and terrible diagnoses as cerebral palsy (infantile cerebral palsy) or other neurological diseases.
Symptoms
Symptoms of asymmetry of the lateral ventricles depend on intracranial pressure, as they change withhim. But one thing remains unchanged - a person necessarily experiences discomfort (as with any illness, because there are no comfortable illnesses).
Symptoms to detect:
- nausea, vomiting, regurgitation;
- head size increase;
- revitalization of postural reflexes;
- constant anxiety, crying;
- weakened swallowing and grasping reflexes;
- divergence of the sagittal suture;
- swelling and tension of the fontanel;
- decrease in muscle tone;
- hand shake;
- "rising sun syndrome" (the iris of the eye is partially hidden under the lower eyelid);
- optic disc edema;
- restless sleep;
- reduced appetite;
- anemia;
- hallucinations;
- flies before the eyes;
- headache.
However, often the asymmetry of the lateral ventricles (in adults) does not manifest itself at all, it is only detected during ultrasound. Symptoms may not appear at all, it all happens individually.
In infants and newborns, it is easier to notice the disease, because the child will be inhibited, capricious. He may also refuse milk, and his gaze will be directed downwards. It is very difficult for a parent not to notice that their baby has undergone some changes. But this does not always happen in the same way as in adults, some children do not show symptoms.
Danger
Like any disease, the asymmetry of the lateral ventricles has its own dangerous moments, threats to human he alth and life. But, onin fact, this disease will bring its carrier only unpleasant symptoms (if any) and a slight tempo (temporal) delay in the motor sphere. Of course, if a person ignores the doctor's instructions, this will lead to serious consequences such as complications, coma and even a fatal outcome for his life.
In the case of the atrophic type, the danger lies in the possible appearance of cerebral palsy and other mental ailments resulting from brain damage.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis is made after an ultrasound. Visually, the doctor does not diagnose the asymmetry of the lateral ventricles, like any disease. Diagnosis is carried out using computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, neurosonogram, ophthalmological examination of the fundus, cerebrospinal fluid puncture.
If a slight increase is detected, the doctor will prescribe a second examination in a few months to see if they increase further or not. The growth of the baby's head is measured regularly, and even the parents themselves can do this.
Treatment
Slight asymmetry of the lateral ventricles of the infant's brain does not require treatment, since it does not lead to serious disorders, unless the ventricles increase in volume.
If the ventricles increase in size on a permanent basis, then the patient may well be prescribed drugs such as diuretics, nootropics, sedatives, neuroleptics, vasoconstrictors, vitamin complexes, antibiotics and NSAIDs, which are necessary in mandatoryokay to drink.
If the disease appeared as a result of a tumor or cyst, then the patient needs urgent surgical intervention by specialists, since complications can go up to coma and death for the patient.
Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles requires a long and complex treatment. Especially if it has turned into a more severe form that threatens a person's life or he alth.
Consequences
With small deviations, the asymmetry can go away on its own up to a year. The child must be monitored by a neurologist on an ongoing basis so as not to miss the moment when the condition worsens.
If one or both ventricles are significantly enlarged, affecting important areas of the brain, then the following, quite terrible and terrible, consequences of this disease may appear:
- cerebral palsy, Turner syndrome;
- mental underdevelopment, lagging behind peers in mental development;
- complete or partial loss of vision;
- head enlargement, skull deformity;
- epilepsy (predisposition of the body to the sudden onset of convulsive seizures);
- hallucinations.
In adults, ignoring symptoms can lead to psychological disturbances, coma or even death. That is why, when they are detected, it is necessary to be examined, and then treated strictly according to the doctor's recommendations.
Thus, we can summarize. If your child or you was given "scary" as the firstlook diagnosis (asymmetry of the lateral ventricles of the brain), do not immediately panic. Often there is absolutely no reason for this, because in 99% of cases this disease is quite easy, and only the remaining percentage can hide trouble (brain damage and the consequences that arise as a result). Be under the supervision of a doctor, undergo regular examinations and treat conscientiously to eliminate any risk of complications or unpleasant consequences.
