J Korean Child Neurol Soc.  1999 May;6(2):244-252.

Neurodevelopmental Outcome in Infants with Increased Subarachnoid Cerebrospinal Fluid Accumulation

• Lee M
• Ko SY
• Chang YS
• Park WS
• Shin HJ
• Yoon HK
• Han BK

Abstract

Since the advent of ultrasonography, brain imaging evaluation by this method became very popular in pediatric population due to its easy access and noninvasiveness. As more and more ultrasonographic head imagines were performed, the enlargement of subarachnoid corebrospinal fluid (CSF) space was found to be a common finding. Enlargement of subarachnoid CSF spaces, especially extra-axial CSF space is a specific radiologic pattern but its pathogenesis and significance have not been established. Widening of the subarachnoid CSF space on cranial imaging has been related to a wide spectrum of conditions including genetic syndromes, prematurity, previous intraventricular or subarachnoid hemorrhage, meningitis, cerebral atrophy or subdural collections, and it may occur in pathologic or nonpathologic conditions. Various terms have been used to describe this finding . external hydrocephalus, benign subdural effusion, benign extra-axial collections, subdural hygroma, benign subarachnoid fluid collection. Since there is no clear study regarding the neurodevelopmental outcomes of these population, many physicians have performed follow-up imaging studies and have had difficulty in explaining to parents about this finding. Our goals in the present study were to provide further clinical and developmental information concerning enlargement of the subarachnoid space by the prospective follow-up of a group of infants identified by specific head ultrasonographic criteria and to propose a plan for future management.

MeSH Terms

Atrophy
Cerebrospinal Fluid*
Follow-Up Studies
Head
Humans
Hydrocephalus
Infant*
Meningitis
Neuroimaging
Parents
Prospective Studies
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage
Subarachnoid Space
Subdural Effusion
Ultrasonography