CT Section of head

[kuttan81]

Dear Doctor,

My niece, of 3.5 month old, got blood infection during 1st month of her age. We did CT scan at that time and doctor's opinion was we have to do this again during her 3rd month of age. Below is the CT Scan result:

Prominent cortiacal sulci int eh fronto temporal regions and sylvian fissures bilaterally. Ventricles and basal cisterns appear dilated, left lateral ventricle appears more dilated than right.
Periventricular hypodensity noted around the frontal horns and atria of lateral ventricles bilaterally. No intra parenchymal / Extra axial bleed.
Brainsterm and cerebellum appear normal.
No midline shift.
PRominent cisterna magna present.
No areas of abnormal calcification noted intracranially.
Visualised orbits and PNS appear grossly normal.

IMPRESSION
Diffuse brain atrophy with gliotic changes more in the left hemisphere.
No intracranial bleed at present.

Could you please give me you impression about this doctor. Do she has the risk of long term inabilities like Mental Retardation/other disabilities.

THANKS & BEST REGARDS
BHASKAR UNNIKRISHNAN

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

Thanks for writing in.
Diffuse brain atrophy in infants can occur as a result of infection or due to B12 deficiency. The brain atrophy that occurs due to B12 deficiency generally gets normalized by B12 supplementation.
It is difficult to give the exact prognosis without a clinical exam. However children with diffuse cerebral atrophy are likely to suffer from seizures, developmental delays and muscle weakness depending upon the part of the brain involved in atrophy.
Please consult an experienced pediatric neurologist about it. Take care!

[kuttan81]

Forgot to mention doctor. she started trying to roll down and smiling.... her eyes and hearing systems are perferct...