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Does Long Standing Ventriculomegaly Lead To Hydrocephalus?
Question: 55yo family member with congenital hydrocephalus and a VP shunt since 1yo. Deteriorating slowly in cognitive and motor functioning over lifespan but in the past 12 months the decline has become quite rapid. He is now barley able to walk, sporadically incontinent, takes a long time to verbally respond and has had to resign from supermarket work of 17 years. Neurologist says it is stress, possible dementia. I have recently discovered by looking at CT reports that mild long standing ventriculomegaly was observed twice in 2009 by the radiology doctor - but no mention of it in following CT reports by other doctors. Could this be a possible cause of decline?
Brief Answer:
Hydrocehalus can lead to such decline over a time period.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I understand your concern.
I have gone through your query in detail.
Long standing ventriculomegaly is one of the central associations which leads to full blown hydrocephalus.
Typically hydrocephalus is associated with dementia, incontinence and gait in coordination.
This is definitely the possible cause of decline in his case.
Hydrocephalus has to be immediately decompressed , otherwise it can lead to permanent dysfunction.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you
Hydrocehalus can lead to such decline over a time period.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I understand your concern.
I have gone through your query in detail.
Long standing ventriculomegaly is one of the central associations which leads to full blown hydrocephalus.
Typically hydrocephalus is associated with dementia, incontinence and gait in coordination.
This is definitely the possible cause of decline in his case.
Hydrocephalus has to be immediately decompressed , otherwise it can lead to permanent dysfunction.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
I have uploaded CT scans from 2009 and 2015.
May you please review and provide opinion?
Thank you very much
XXXX
May you please review and provide opinion?
Thank you very much
XXXX
Brief Answer:
Changes of hydrocephalus are clearly evident from 2009-2015
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I have gone through the uploaded CT scans from 2009-2015.
They clearly show that ventriculomegaly has existed since 2009.
As said earlier, you can reconfirm all my answers in the first post.
Cognitive decline, gait incoordination and incontinence are related to hydrocephalus.
Few important areas of brain particularly that concerned with motor acts are atrophied due to long standing changes.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Changes of hydrocephalus are clearly evident from 2009-2015
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I have gone through the uploaded CT scans from 2009-2015.
They clearly show that ventriculomegaly has existed since 2009.
As said earlier, you can reconfirm all my answers in the first post.
Cognitive decline, gait incoordination and incontinence are related to hydrocephalus.
Few important areas of brain particularly that concerned with motor acts are atrophied due to long standing changes.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Ok thank you very much.
The last time we saw the neurologist he dismissed all our queries about this. He is adamant that the cause for my family members issues is all stress induced. He was reluctant to organise another appointment.
What should I ask the neurologist when we see him again next week?
Would my family member benefit from an endoscopic ventriculostomy?
The last time we saw the neurologist he dismissed all our queries about this. He is adamant that the cause for my family members issues is all stress induced. He was reluctant to organise another appointment.
What should I ask the neurologist when we see him again next week?
Would my family member benefit from an endoscopic ventriculostomy?
Brief Answer:
Endoscopic procedures are the need of the hour.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I understand your concern.
I apologize for the delayed response.
Yes certainly endoscopic procedures like fenestration operation of 3rd ventricle or lateral cerebral aqueductoplasty can be successfully performed.
Shunts are not perfect and alternative procedures have to be considered.
You can discuss the same with your Neurosurgeon rather than a neurologist.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Endoscopic procedures are the need of the hour.
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I understand your concern.
I apologize for the delayed response.
Yes certainly endoscopic procedures like fenestration operation of 3rd ventricle or lateral cerebral aqueductoplasty can be successfully performed.
Shunts are not perfect and alternative procedures have to be considered.
You can discuss the same with your Neurosurgeon rather than a neurologist.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
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