[tayson]

i have a 18mnth old son who had a ct scan that says he has enlarged lateral ventricles and enlarged 3rd ventricle, with moderate narrowing of the aqueduct, suggesting aqueductal stenosis. his head is over the 100percentile although his head measured 95percentile at birth. his development is normal although certainly on the "slower end" of normal. but he does not talk at all. sometimes he can be quite irritable and fretful, other times he is a great kid. am seeing a neurosurgeon next month. Does anyone know is surgery would be likely or can they monitor this situation? Can the narrowing continue? will his deleopment worsen if they take the "wait and see" attitude? any info would be great. thanks alot, concerned mum sharon

[LIZARD]

Hey, Sharon.

If his head is continuing to grow at a rapid rate, and his ventricles are enlarging, there is no reason to wait on surgery. It will just prolong the inevitable and lead to brain damage (which he may already have, given that he's not verbal). Any child who is showing delays and evidence of CSF pressure and ventricle enlargement will need surgery, and putting it off will only decrease any chance of catching him up.


Good luck...

LIZARD