Long-Term Prognosis of Patients with Central Cerebral Ventricular Enlargement

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Abstract
A hundred patients with a 3rd ventricle width [image] 12 mm in the air encephalogram were followed-up after an average observation period of 12 years. Forty-nine had died, 12 were in need of care and supervision, 21 were unable to work, and 18 were partly able to work. The causes of death were: Related to the underlying brain disorder; much the same as in the population at large; or seemed to follow minor disorders usually not leading to death. A poor long-term prognosis seemed to be related to: Serious associated disease; a relatively high age on first admission (i.e. more than 50 years of age); symptoms and signs of cardio-vascular disease; a marked degree of central cerebral ventricular enlargement; marked symmetrical enlargement of the temporal horns; positive findings in 5 or more groups of the neurological status; and marked and progressive intellectual deterioration. A relatively good prognosis was related to: A moderate degree of ventricular enlargement; relatively few changes in the air encephalogram in addition to the enlarged 3rd ventricle; roent-genologlcal evidence of intracerebral anomalies or early acquired brain lesion with little progressive tendency; only few neurological signs; or age below 50 years at the time of the first admission.