Spontaneous ventriculostomy in a patient with obstructive hydrocephalus.
BACKGROUND
Spontaneous ventriculostomy related to progressive obstructive hydrocephalus is rare. Radiologic demonstration of such a phenomenon can be delineated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cine MRI.


METHODS
A 59-year-old woman with a known tectal glioma and symptoms of chronic hydrocephalus developed progressively worsening headaches. During follow-up, she noted spontaneous relief of her headaches. Follow-up cine MRI demonstrated a spontaneous ventriculostomy via the floor of the third ventricle.


CONCLUSIONS
Clinicians should be aware of spontaneous ventriculostomy demonstrable on cine MRI because it may obviate the need for a CSF diversion procedure.
Kim
L J
LJ
Division of Neurological Surgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona 85013, USA.
Feiz-Erfan
I
I
Clatterbuck
R E
RE
Spetzler
R F
RF
D000222:Adaptation, Physiological; D020295:Brain Stem Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D020863:Central Nervous System Cysts / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D005910:Glioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006261:Headache / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012075:Remission, Spontaneous; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D013477:Superior Colliculi / Q000473:pathology; D020542:Third Ventricle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology