Fetal ventriculomegaly (VM) refers to the abnormal enlargement of one or more ventricles of the brain in-utero. The enlargement may or may not be related to ventricular obstruction and increased intracranial pressure; therefore, the term “hydrocephalus” is not used. VM is diagnosed usually in the mid-trimester when the atrial diameter (AD) of the lateral ventricle is more than 10 mm on one or both sides. A thorough workup is then required to identify the cause as the etiology is diverse. Fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may yield additional information. Serial ultrasound follow-up would be required to assess its progression with advancing gestation. The prognosis and long-term outcomes greatly depend upon the etiology, the severity at diagnosis, progression, and associations. This article reviews the definitions, diagnosis, and workup of fetal VM, discusses follow-up protocols and prognosis, and examines the role of fetal therapy, including fetoscopic surgery in its prenatal management.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.