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Benign enlargement of subarachnoid spaces

Case contributed by Khairy Abdella
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

9 months old boy with increased head circumference

Patient Data

Age: 9 months
Gender: Male

Note: This case has been tagged as "legacy" as it no longer meets image preparation and/or other case publication guidelines.

  • widening of the bi-frontal and anterior inter-hemispheric CSF spaces
  • no flattening of adjacent gyri.
  • normal sulci posteriorly.
  • nearly normal ventricular size with no pressure effects on the surrounding brain tissue

Case Discussion

Benign enlargement of the subarachnoid spaces in infancy (BESS) also known as benign external hydrocephalus (BEH), a benign enlargement of subarachnoid spaces seen in infancy. It is characterized clinically by macrocephaly or frontal bossing.

It usually occurs in males than females. It has familial predilection.  The condition resolves spontaneously by the age of 2 years.

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