Congenital Atresia of the Foramina of Luschka and Magendie

Abstract

From the few previously reported cases, roentgenological stigmata had been established as impressions by the confluent and lat. sinuses on the parietal bone, and a high inion. Such findings were present in all but one of the cases in the literature. They were absent in both patients reported here, whose histories revealed only relatively minor symptoms (such as delayed neuromuscular maturation, slight nystagmus, inconstant headache and non-disabling ataxia) until fall or collision induced acute elevation of intracranial pres- sure (projectile vomiting, blurred vision, and constant acute headache). In both cases, cysts consisting essentially of enormously enlarged 4th ventricle were found and partially removed. The patients on discharge had better than pre-traumatic CNS function. Early surgical intervention is recommended.