Long-term prognosis of patients with central cerebral ventricular enlargement. A third follow-up study of 100 patients with a 3rd ventricle width of 12 mm or more.

Abstract

One hundred patients with a 3rd ventricle width ≧ 12 mm in the pneumoencephalogram were followed-up for the third time after an average observation period of 14 years. 56 had died, 14 were in need of care and supervision, 19 were unable to work, and 11 were partly able to work. The causes of death could be divided into 3 groups: (1) The cause of death seemed to be related to the underlying brain disorder. (2) The cause of death seemed to be much the same as in the population at large. (3) Death seemed to follow minor disorders usually not leading to death. A poor long-term prognosis seemed to be related to: (1) serious associated disease, (2) a relatively high age on first admission (i.e. more than 50 years of age), (3) symptoms and signs of cardio-vascular disease, (4) marked degree of central cerebral ventricular enlargement, (5) marked symmetrical enlargement of the temporal horns, (6) several and/or marked neurological signs of cerebral disease, and (7) marked and progressive intellectual deterioration. A relatively good prognosis seemed to be related to the following factors: (1) a moderate degree of ventricular enlargement, (2) roent-genological evidence of intracerebral anomalies or early acquired brain lesion with little progressive tendency, (3) only few neurological signs, and (4) age below 50 years at the time of the first admission.