Widening of the lateral ventricles is not necessarily hydrocephalus, but may also be brain atrophy and congenital developmental abnormalities.
In the CT or MRI manifestation of hydrocephalus, widening of all ventricular systems is seen, and lumbar puncture reveals a significant increase in intracranial pressure. In addition, traffic hydrocephalus may show widening of some ventricular systems, and intracranial pressure may not be elevated in normal cranial pressure hydrocephalus.
In addition to hydrocephalus, widening of the lateral ventricles is often seen in cerebral atrophy, but this is more common in middle-aged and elderly people, especially those with a long history of alcohol consumption. In addition to widening of the lateral ventricles, other conditions such as enlargement of the brain pools and ventricles, widening of the sulci and narrowing of the gyrus can be seen at the same time, and the patients often suffer from cognitive decline and other symptoms.
In addition, some people may also have lateral ventricular widening due to congenital developmental abnormalities. These patients often do not have any clinical symptoms, and the lateral ventricular widening may be unilateral or bilateral.
Lateral ventricular widening can be seen in a variety of conditions, and it is recommended to consult a doctor in a timely manner to make a clear diagnosis with the combination of the patient’s symptoms and other auxiliary examinations, and to carry out standardized treatment.