Isolated dilation of the trigono-inferior horn--four case reports

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2000 Mar;40(3):179-85. doi: 10.2176/nmc.40.179.

Abstract

Four patients presented with isolated dilation of the trigono-inferior horn associated with either mass lesion at the trigone of the lateral ventricle or with shunt over-drainage. We investigated clinical symptoms, course, and neuroradiological findings of these cases. The pressure of the isolated ventricle was measured or estimated at surgery in all cases. The common symptoms were recent memory disturbance and contralateral homonymous hemianopia. Contralateral hemiparesis was observed occasionally. Rapid deterioration of the isolation caused uncal herniation in one case. Comma-shaped dilation of the inferior horn was observed in all cases. Midline shift was not conspicuous except in one case. Intraventricular pressure at surgery was 18 cmH2O, 35 cmH2O, 3 cmH2O, and within normal range. These cases had very similar clinical symptoms and neuroradiological findings. The pathophysiology of isolation suggested three types of isolation (high-, normal-, and low-pressure isolation), depending on the pressure of the isolated ventricle. The isolation of trigono-inferior horn is an important clinical entity as it may cause uncal herniation in patients with high-pressure lesions.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebral Ventricle Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Cerebral Ventricles / pathology
  • Cerebral Ventricles / surgery
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / physiology
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / pathology
  • Dilatation, Pathologic / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus / diagnosis
  • Hydrocephalus / surgery*
  • Infant
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Complications / diagnosis
  • Postoperative Complications / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt*