Fourth Ventricle Outlet Obstruction and Diverticular Enlargement of Luschka Foramina in a Child with Down Syndrome

Pediatr Neurosurg. 2020;55(6):359-362. doi: 10.1159/000511088. Epub 2020 Dec 28.

Abstract

Introduction: Hydrocephalus is not usually part of Down syndrome (DS). Fourth ventricle outlet obstruction is a rare cause of obstructive hydrocephalus, difficult to diagnose, because tetraventricular dilatation may suggest a communicant/nonobstructive hydrocephalus.

Case presentation: We describe the case of a 6-year-old boy with obstructive tetraventricular hydrocephalus, caused by Luschka and Magen-die foramina obstruction and diverticular enlargement of Luschka foramina (the so-called fourth ventricle outlet obstruction) associated with DS. He was treated with endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) without complications, and a follow-up MRI revealed reduction of the ventricles, disappearance of the diverticula, and patency of the ventriculostomy.

Conclusion: Diverticular enlargement of Luschka foramina is an important radiological finding for obstructive tetraventricular hydrocephalus. ETV is a viable option in tetraventricular obstructive hydrocephalus in DS.

Keywords: Down syndrome; Endoscopic third ventriculostomy; Fourth ventricle outlet obstruction; Hydrocephalus; Ventricular diverticulum.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Diverticulum* / complications
  • Diverticulum* / diagnostic imaging
  • Diverticulum* / surgery
  • Down Syndrome* / complications
  • Down Syndrome* / diagnostic imaging
  • Fourth Ventricle / diagnostic imaging
  • Fourth Ventricle / surgery
  • Humans
  • Hydrocephalus* / diagnostic imaging
  • Hydrocephalus* / etiology
  • Hydrocephalus* / surgery
  • Male
  • Third Ventricle* / surgery
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Ventriculostomy