Spontaneous ventriculostomy in a patient with obstructive hydrocephalus.

BACKGROUND

Spontaneous ventriculostomy related to progressive obstructive hydrocephalus is rare. Radiologic demonstration of such a phenomenon can be delineated with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and cine MRI.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old woman with a known tectal glioma and symptoms of chronic hydrocephalus developed progressively worsening headaches. During follow-up, she noted spontaneous relief of her headaches. Follow-up cine MRI demonstrated a spontaneous ventriculostomy via the floor of the third ventricle.

INTERPRETATION: Clinicians should be aware of spontaneous ventriculostomy demonstrable on cine MRI because it may obviate the need for a CSF diversion procedure.