Asymmetric Lateral Ventricles—A Tale of Two Cases

Abstract

Asymmetry of the lateral ventricles is not an uncommon finding. On one end, it is a predictor of intracranial pathology, and on the other, it can represent a normal variant. It needs to be appropriately investigated. In this case report, we presented two cases of asymmetric lateral ventricles, their presentation, progression and management.

Keywords

asymmetry - lateral ventricles - asymmetry of the lateral ventricles

Introduction

The right and left lateral ventricles are the largest parts of the ventricular system of the brain. The right and left sides are separated by a thin midline septum called the septum pellucidum. On each side of the septum, lateral ventricles are like a mirror image of each other, and most of the time, they are identical and symmetrical. However, asymmetric lateral ventricles (ALV) or unilateral hydrocephalus are not rare.[1] The asymmetry can be caused by a unilateral intra- or extraventricular space occupying lesion or disease such as Parkinson’s disease.[2] ALV cases should be evaluated for presence of hydrocephalus, and most common indices and measurement methods include Evan’s index and callosal angle.[3] In trauma cases, they are predictors of midline shift in case of extradural/subdural hematomas or contusions. Some studies also have linked asymmetry to right- or left-handedness.[4] However, we encounter ALV more frequently in the normal population.[5] If the asymmetry is noticeable and obvious in an otherwise normal MRI, it is usually reported as a normal variant.[6]

In this article, we presented two cases of ALV with different presentation, progression, and management.

Case Discussion

First Case

A 16-year-old male patient presented to ER with history of physical assault by an iron rod to the right side of his face and head. On presentation, he was vitally stable and neurologically intact. First CT brain showed mild asymmetry of ventricles. He was advised admission, but he denied. He came back after 12 hours with altered sensorium, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) score of E3V3M5, episodes of vomiting and dense hemiplegia (power grade 0/5) of left side of body with facial palsy. Repeat CT scan showed hypodense regions involving right temporal, insular, head of caudate, and internal capsule regions with compressed right lateral ventricle, midline shift to left and dense middle cerebral artery (MCA) sign on the right side ( [Fig. 1] ).

Fig. 1 Nonenhanced CT on presentation showing asymmetry of lateral ventricles. Repeat CT after 12 hours showing area of infarct along with middle cerebral artery (MCA) dense sign. Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) MRI showing area of restriction. Magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with nonvisualization of right internal carotid artery (ICA) and MCA.

He was shifted to ICU and started on antiedema measures and double antiplatelets. Gradually, within a few hours, GCS score improved to E4V5M6, and left side hemiparesis also improved (power grade ⅖). MRI brain with angiography revealed large area of diffusion restriction in right MCA territory and nonvisualization of right internal carotid artery (ICA) and MCA. Carotid Doppler showed normal right common carotid artery (CCA) and cervical ICA.

Stroke profile showed normal Hb electrophoresis, sickle cell screen, antinuclear antibody (ANA), prothrombin time (PT)/activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), and international normalized ratio (INR). Only his erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was raised (112 mm). His hemiparesis gradually improved, and the patient did not attend follow-up angiography.

Second Case

A 21-year-old male patient presented to ER with history of road traffic accident. He was riding a motorcycle without helmet which collided with a four-wheeler. On presentation, he was vitally stable and neurologically intact. CT brain showed asymmetry of lateral ventricles and dilated temporal horns. He was advised observation in ICU. MRI brain with angiography was normal ( [Fig. 2] ).

Fig. 2 Nonenhanced CT showing asymmetric ventricles. Normal MRI brain and angiography.

Discussion

ALV is a common finding in daily practice.[1] It presents a challenge to the neurosurgeon, as it can either be linked to many intracranial and intraventricular pathologies or it may be a normal variant. ALV without other pathological findings on MRI is mostly caused by the off-midline septum pellucidum.[6] Toth et al showed that ALV was a precursor of midline shift in trauma patients and noted that ventricles respond to unilateral pressure gradient before the midline shift.[7]

In the first case discussed here, ALV was predictor of posttraumatic stroke despite first scan not showing any other abnormality. It could have been life-threatening had the patient not presented the next day. On the other hand, in the second case, we could easily rule out any pathological cause by appropriate investigations, and consider it as normal variant of ALV.

The role of MRI/magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) in cases of ALV with no neurological deficits is a matter of debate. The importance is in differentiating unilateral hydrocephalus (UH) from ALV. UH is defined as enlargement of a lateral ventricle and represents a more serious clinical entity, with a higher ventricle-brain ratio (VBR) than ALV. In the Turkish study, 3.5% patients had underlying tumors on MRI which were occult on CT, even in retrospect.[1]

In conclusion, it requires a neurosurgeon to be vigilant enough to not rule out asymmetry of ventricles as normal without workup. It would be ideal to keep such a patient in hospital for some duration, even if the patient is neurologically intact, and do a repeat scan after 12 to 24 hours to rule out any abnormality.

Conflict of Interest

None declared.

• References

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• 4 Erdogan AR, Dane S, Aydin MD, Ozdikici M, Diyarbakirli S. Sex and handedness differences in size of cerebral ventricles of normal subjects. Int J Neurosci 2004; 114 (01) 67-73
• 5 Shapiro R, Galloway SJ, Shapiro MD. Minimal asymmetry of the brain: a normal variant. AJR Am J Roentgenol 1986; 147 (04) 753-756
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• 7 Tóth A, Schmalfuss I, Heaton SC. et al. Lateral ventricle asymmetry predicts midline shift in severe traumatic brain injury. J Neurotrauma 2015; 32 (17) 1307-1311

Publication History

Article published online:
27 October 2021