Dilatation of the lateral ventricles: what is the reason for this diagnosis, how to treat this disorder

Dilation means expansion. Why there is an expansion of the lateral ventricles of the brain, what this means and how it is treated - these are the main questions that parents ask when they hear such a diagnosis.

Brain ventricles and their dilatation

The brain has cavities called the ventricles of the brain. In the ventricles, a cerebrospinal fluid is produced, which is then excreted through special channels. Ventricular expansion means that too much fluid is produced and it does not have time to be withdrawn, or obstacles have emerged on the way to its withdrawal.

Dilatation of the lateral ventricles is not the disease itself, it is a symptom of the disease. What kind of disease and doctors have to find out.

Causes of accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid

One of these diseases is hydrocephalus. This is a very serious disease of the brain. With hydrocephalus, the disorder occurs during the absorption of cerebrospinal fluid, and it accumulates in the ventricles of the brain, which leads to dilatation of the ventricles of the brain.

When the nervous system is damaged, an excessive amount of cerebrospinal fluid is produced, it may not have time to be excreted and cause the expansion of the ventricles of the brain.

Disturbance of circulation of cerebrospinal fluid can be caused due to volumetric formations: cysts, tumors. Obstacles to normal absorption of cerebrospinal fluid may be craniocerebral trauma, hemorrhage, inflammation.

This symptom may be a brain defect. Brain defect may not affect the baby's health in any way, but neurologist needs to be monitored.

Quite often, the expansion of the lateral ventricles of the brain does not lead to any consequences, since it is not caused by a serious disease. This can be a specific form of the skull or the consequences of rickets.

However, all these issues are solved only by doctors.

Video materials on the topic of the article

Functions of the lateral ventricles of the brain:

Brain structure:

Hypertrophy of the left ventricle:

Intracranial pressure: