Module 11: Fetal Neural tube pathology Flashcards
What is the pathway of flow for CSF? 6
- Lateral ventricles
- Interventricular foramen (foramen of monro)
- 3rd ventricle
- Cerebral aqueduct (aqueduct of sylvius)
- 4th ventricle with two foramen (magendie and luschka)
- Spinal chord
What is the Magendie? What does it connect to?
- Medial aspect of the 4th ventricle
- Connects to the spinal cord
What produces cerebral spinal fluid?
Choroid Plexus
Where is CSF located?
In the body of the ventricles but not the horns
What is the Luschka? What does it communicate with?
- Lateral aspect of the 4th ventricle
- Communicates with the meninges of the brain
What does the Luscka allows?
Allows CSF into the subarachnoid space of the meninges
What is the upper limit for measurement for the lateral ventricles?
<10mm
Where do we place the caliper for ventricles?
On to on
Where is the normal 3rd ventricle located?
Between the thalami and inferior to the corpus callosum
Is the normal 3rd ventricle thick or thin?
thin
Where is the normal 4th ventricle located?
At the anterior and inferior edge of the cerebellum
What is hydrocephalus?
Increase in the CSF that results in enlargement of the ventricular system
What is usually a cause of hydrocephalus? 2
- Usually do to obstruction along the pathway of CSF
- Usually intraventricular and extraventricular
What is the most common cranial anomaly?
Hydrocephalus
What is symptoms of aqueduct stenosis? What does this do to the 3rd ventricles? What about the 4th?
- When the CSF can not flow from 3rd ventricle to 4th ventricle
- This results in lateral and 3rd ventricles are enlarged
- 4th ventricle is normal
What is another name for aqueduct stenosis?
Intraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus
What is Extraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus also called?
Communicating hydrocephalus
What happens with spina bifida?
CSF can not flow normally through spinal canal and backs up in the ventricle of the brain
What ventricles are affected with spina bifida?
All ventricles are affected
What do we see with extraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus? 3
- Excess CSF (less common, Excessive secretions from a choroid plexus papilloma)
- Dandy walker malformation
- Sacral tumors
How do we evaluate ventricular size?
Measure ventricular atrial diameter
When do we measure ventricular atrial diameter?
15-35 weeks
What is the typical ventricle measurement? 2
- Typical around 7mm
- 10 mm is upper limit of normal
What is the distance from medial ventricle wall to choroid?
<3mm
Should the choroid plexus dangle in atria of ventricle?
No
The choroid always rests how?
In a gravitationally dependent position
What are some causes of true hydrocephalus?
CSF obstruction vs ventriculomegaly resulting from brain atrophy
What are some true hydrocephalus causes? 3
- Aqueduct stenosis
- Neural tube defect (NTD)
- Dandy walker malformation