Colpocephaly: A Case Report

ABSTRACT

Colpocephaly is an abnormal enlargement of the occipital horn of the lateral ventricle, also described as persistence of the fetal configuration of the lateral ventricles. Since it was first described, colpocephaly has been found in association with several abnormalities of the brain. Various etiologies have been postulated, including intrauterine/perinatal injuries, genetic disorders, and an error of morphogenesis. We report a new case of colpocephaly associated with absence of the corpus callosum and review the literature.

KEYWORDS

Colpocephaly - ventriculomegaly - neonate

REFERENCES

• 1 Benda C E. Microcephaly.  Am J Psychiatry. 1940;  97 1135-1146
• 2 Yakovlev P I, Wadsworth R C. Schizencephalies: a study of the congenital clefts in the cerebral mantle: I. Clefts with fused lips.  J Neuropathol Exp Neuro. 1946;  5 116-130
• 3 Herskowitz J, Rosman P, Wheeler C B. Colpocephaly: clinical, radiologic, and pathogenetic aspects.  Neurology. 1985;  35 1594-1598
• 4 Landman J, Weitz R, Dulizki F. Radiological colpocephaly: a congenital malformation or the result of intrauterine and perinatal brain damage.  Brain Dev. 1989;  11 313-316
• 5 Cerullo A, Marini C, Cevoli S, Carelli V, Montagna P, Tinuper P. Colpocephaly in two siblings: further evidence of a genetic transmission.  Dev Med Child Neurol. 2000;  42 280-282
• 6 Bodensteiner J, Gay C T. Colpocephaly: pitfalls in the diagnosis of a pathologic entity utilizing neuroimaging techniques.  J Child Neurol. 1990;  5 166-168
• 7 Noorani P A, Bodensteiner J B, Barnes P D. Colpocephaly: frequency and associated findings.  J Child Neurol. 1988;  3 100-104
• 8 Barkovich A J, Rowley H, Bollen A. Correlation of prenatal events with development of polymicrogyria.  AJNR. 1995;  16 822-827
• 9 Volpe J J. Neurology of the Newborn. Philadelphia, PA; WB Saunders 2001: 65-67
• 10 Garg B P. Colpocephaly: an error of morphogenesis.  Arch Neurol. 1982;  39 243-246