A Rare Case of Ventricular Diverticulum in a Child with Occipital Encephalocele

Abstract

Ventricular diverticula are dilatations of the ventricular system caused by stretching and protrusion of the ventricular wall as a result of severe chronic obstructive hydrocephalus. We report a case of lateral ventricular diverticulum arising from the occipital horn in a patient with occipital encephalocele. To the best of our knowledge, this is a first case of ventricular diverticulum in a patient with occipital encephalocele.

Spontaneous external rupture of hydrocephalus after fontanelle closure: a case report and review of literature

“…With the delay in treatment, there is gradual thinning of the cerebral cortex and enlargement of the head especially in infants before sutural closure. If the pathologic process goes without intervention for long, it may lead to some odd complications like ventricular diverticulum [ 6 ] and even ventricular rupture. A few cases with internal rupture of enlarging ventricles into cisternal spaces or subdural space [ 7 – 9 ] and external rupture through the patent anterior fontanelle presenting with CSF leak with or without meningitis have already been reported in the literature (Table 1 ) [ 1 – 4 , 10 , 11 ].…”

Unusual Complication of Neglected Hydrocephalus: Spontaneous Rupture with Growing Skull Fracture

“…With the sudden release of intracranial pressure, the collapse of the ventricular system creates an unsightly depression over the vertex, leading to an ‘alien head' appearance. In extreme cases, brain matter may also herniate through the defect [2,3,4,5,6,7]. …”

“…Of the 5 cases in total, 4 patients had presented in the first year of life; 2 infants were suffering with HCP with meningomyelocele (Chiari II malformation), while the remaining 3 (including the index case) were cases of congenital aqueductal stenosis. In all cases, parental reluctance and refusal of surgery at earlier consultation was the reason for this dreadful complication [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. …”

“…We describe such a case of neglected HCP with spontaneous external rupture of ventricles leaking cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and growing skull fracture. The literature is also reviewed for neglected cases of pediatric HCP with spontaneous internal or external rupture [2,3,4,5,6,7,8]. …”

Spontaneous rupture of a neglected huge hydrocephalic head

“…Spontaneous rupture of hydrocephalous is an odd phenomenon. Occasionally, long-standing tension hydrocephalus can lead to formation of ventricular diverticula[1] or ventricular rupture. It can rupture into cisterns leading to spontaneous ventriculostomy[2] or may rupture through necrotic scalp skin leading to ‘spontaneous brain rupture’.…”