Ventricular Wall Granulations and Draining of Cerebrospinal Fluid in Chronic Giant Hydrocephalus

Abstract

Background: In rare cases, adults with normal or almost normal cognition may have giant brain ventricles surrounded by a sliver of brain. Because the usual flow of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is interrupted in these individuals, they may develop alternative CSF pathways to preserve brain function. Objective: To describe novel morphologic autopsy findings in a patient with chronic giant hydrocephalus that suggest the existence of alternative CSF draining pathways.

Can infusion tests be recommended for patients with giant hydrocephalus?

“…The above conclusion are further supported by the recent observation in the study by Masdeu et al [21] They suggested that because of impaired physiological flow of the CSF in individuals with chronic giant hydrocephalus, these patients may develop alternative CSF pathways to preserve brain function. Such pathways indicate the biological adaptation to anomalous conditions and successful compensation and may be an alternative to the reduced CSF secretion that is reported by us.…”

Can infusion tests be recommended for patients with giant hydrocephalus?

“…The above conclusion are further supported by the recent observation in the study by Masdeu et al [21] They suggested that because of impaired physiological flow of the CSF in individuals with chronic giant hydrocephalus, these patients may develop alternative CSF pathways to preserve brain function. Such pathways indicate the biological adaptation to anomalous conditions and successful compensation and may be an alternative to the reduced CSF secretion that is reported by us.…”

Life without a brain: Neuroradiological and behavioral evidence of neuroplasticity necessary to sustain brain function in the face of severe hydrocephalus

“…In an era where brain imaging is common place around the world, more and more cases of extreme alterations in brain morphology appear in the literature 1,2 and popular press. Usually caused by early hydrocephalus, large regions of the brain can be reduced and malformed.…”

Can infusion tests be recommended for patients with giant hydrocephalus?

“…The above conclusion are further supported by the recent observation in the study by Masdeu et al [21] They suggested that because of impaired physiological flow of the CSF in individuals with chronic giant hydrocephalus, these patients may develop alternative CSF pathways to preserve brain function. Such pathways indicate the biological adaptation to anomalous conditions and successful compensation and may be an alternative to the reduced CSF secretion that is reported by us.…”

Life without a brain: Neuroradiological and behavioral evidence of neuroplasticity necessary to sustain brain function in the face of severe hydrocephalus

“…In an era where brain imaging is common place around the world, more and more cases of extreme alterations in brain morphology appear in the literature 1,2 and popular press. Usually caused by early hydrocephalus, large regions of the brain can be reduced and malformed.…”

Can infusion tests be recommended for patients with giant hydrocephalus?

“…The above conclusion are further supported by the recent observation in the study by Masdeu et al [21] They suggested that because of impaired physiological flow of the CSF in individuals with chronic giant hydrocephalus, these patients may develop alternative CSF pathways to preserve brain function. Such pathways indicate the biological adaptation to anomalous conditions and successful compensation and may be an alternative to the reduced CSF secretion that is reported by us.…”

Life without a brain: Neuroradiological and behavioral evidence of neuroplasticity necessary to sustain brain function in the face of severe hydrocephalus

“…In an era where brain imaging is common place around the world, more and more cases of extreme alterations in brain morphology appear in the literature 1,2 and popular press. Usually caused by early hydrocephalus, large regions of the brain can be reduced and malformed.…”