Trapped ventricle

Changed by Mark Thurston, 15 Feb 2017

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Trapped ventricle,also known as isolated ventricle,is a condition in which there is obstruction to the entry and exit path of CSF through the ventricle.

Clinical presentation

Presentation is that of increased intracranial pressure due to expanded trapped ventricle.

trapped temporal horn
- triad
  - hemiparesis: due to compression of internal capsule
  - memory disturbance: due to compression of hippocampus
  - homonymous hemianopsia: due to compression of Meyer loop
trapped fourth ventricle
- diplopia
- ataxia
- nystagmus

Pathology

~~There is continuous secretion~~Obstruction of the ventricular outlet (with continued CSF ~~into~~production) results in cystic dilation of the ~~ventricles but due to obstruction, it gets trapped~~fourth ventricle and ~~does not exit~~supratentorial hydrocephalus².

Causes

choroid plexitis/ventriculitis
CNS tuberculosis
hemorrhage obstructing exit pathway
intracranial masses
intraventricular cysts
complication after lateral ventricular shunting⁶

Location

Radiographic features

The involved ventricle appears as a focally dilated cystic structure that follows CSF signals on respective cross sectional imaging. The remaining ventricular system may appear normal.

There is transependymal CSF seepage around the trapped ventricle.

Key hole sign may be seen in cases of herniation of trapped fourth ventricle ¹.

Treatment and prognosis

Management options include:

treatment of the cause
shunting of the trapped ventricle

~~-</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><p>There is continuous secretion of CSF into the ventricles but due to obstruction, it gets trapped and does not exit.</p><h5>Causes</h5><ul>~~
+</ul><h4>Pathology</h4><p>Obstruction of the ventricular outlet (with continued CSF production) results in cystic dilation of the fourth ventricle and supratentorial hydrocephalus<sup>2</sup>.</p><h5>Causes</h5><ul>
~~-<li><a href="/articles/tuberculosis-of-the-central-nervous-system-1">CNS tuberculosis</a></li>~~
+<li><a href="/articles/tuberculosis-intracranial-manifestations">CNS tuberculosis</a></li>