[Sonographic characteristics of the Arnold-Chiari syndrome and hydrocephalus in children with meningomyelocele].
22 children with myelomeningocele had serial examination by gray scale ultrasonography through the open fontanelle as an acoustic window. 18 children (82%) developed a progressive hydrocephalus and were eventually shunted. In 18 children the hydrocephalus was caused by an Arnold-Chiari-II-malformation with the sonografic signs of a caudal displacement of the dysplastic cerebellum, brainstem, 4th ventricle and cisterna magna. The forth ventricle was elongated and flattened in all babies with Arnold-Chiari-syndrome. The cisterna magna was not visible in any child. The Arnold-Chiari-II-malformation caused an occlusive hydrocephalus which was characterized by the dilatation of the occipital horns (91%) and frontal horns (86%) of the side ventricles, whereas the temporal horns were normal in size (86%). The dysplastic 3. ventricle was displaced caudally and ventrally and showed a prominent suprapineal recess in 41%. Associated malformations of the brain were a large massa intermedia (55%), a prominent plexus choriodeus (50%) and agenesia (36%) or fenestration (9%) of the septum pellucidum. Gray scale ultrasonography is the best method not only for early diagnosis of Arnold-Chiari-malformation and resulting hydrocephalus in infants but also for further controls after shunt implantation, especially for early detection of shunt complications and shunt insufficiency.
D001139:Arnold-Chiari Malformation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D001921:Brain / Q000002:abnormalities; D002508:Cephalometry; D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts; D004453:Echoencephalography / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008591:Meningomyelocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis
Sonografische Charakteristika des Arnold-Chiari-Syndroms und Hydrocephalus bei Kindern mit Meningomyelocele.