UPDATE: Lateral ventricle size issue/Ventricle blockage?

abastian00 · January 2014

Update!

First of all, thank you SO much to everyone who sent T&Ps, provided feedback, and just in general pitched in here. It meant more than you know.

We had our follow-up ultrasound today, and LOs laternal ventricle shrank from .96cm to .74cm - a MAJOR improvement! We are officially out of the woods, and the baby is considered progressing healthily and normally.

I have never felt such relief and gratitude! I'm so grateful to this wonderful board for a resource to turn to. I also feel such compassion and empathy for all other moms out there who have been going through similar states of limbo and bad news. Pregnancy is equally the most wonderful and scariest time time. Much good luck to you all as you move through the next few weeks and months!

_____________

Hey y'all, sorry for creating my own ss discussion, but super hoping someone on here has had experience with this!

At our a/s scan today (sorry for anyone getting this story twice), we found out that one lateral ventricle is "approaching" a dangerous size. I had a chance to discuss with my own OB afterwards (who wasn't the diagnosing doctor, but did get a chance to look at the scans and discuss with the doctor I spoke with). Essentially the vast majority of fetus' that have this concern are completely fine, but if there are problems they are pretty serious. We're going back in next Friday for a follow up scan to see if the ventricle has decreased/increased/not changed in size... and from there we'll have a better feel for what next steps might be. My own OB said she would come for the scan as well, which I'm really looking forward to - she is a calm, reassuring presence (much unlike the jerk doctor I met this morning). (Up until now, everything health wise and testing wise has been perfect... this is our first anomaly.)

Anyone else have experiences with this (good or bad)? I'm trying to focus on the otherwise perfect other 95% of the scan, but can't help being a bit of a disaster right now. Thanks everyone

Edit: FYI - ventricle in the brain, not heart

momof5sept18 · January 2014

I have no experience with this, just wanted to send thoughts and prayers! FX for your next scan!

MollySm · January 2014

No experience here either, but FX everything is alright!

MegRN2008 · January 2014

Also no personal experience to add, but just wanted to let you know that I am sending positive thoughts your way! I think it is probably a good sign that everything else is checking out normal and there were no other issues found. Hopefully this is something that will be able to resolve on its own with no issues for your baby? Please keep us updated... hoping you get some good news next week!

hjl050308 · January 2014

No experience either but hope that everything turns out good.

mrs_drc_rn · January 2014

No experience either but sending t&p and hoping you get good news at your follow-up!

Julie&Micah · January 2014

I had a similar but not exact experience with first LO. The space between 3rd and 4th ventricles was enlarged. Called a Blake's Pouch Cyst. Like your description, it was described to us as having a possibility of being connected to some pretty bad things/syndromes, but also could end up being fine. They monitored her monthly at the perinatologist to see if it got bigger/smaller/stayed the same. Everything else from ultrasounds and amnio looked fine for her. She was also monitored into her first year of life. Ultimately my DD turned out fine! The cyst is not causing her any difficulties and she right on track! She turned 2 in October.
It is really positive that everything else is looking fine and good for your baby. It can be hard to just 'wait and see' how the baby does and if things stay the same/change/etc. Unfortunately they can't always predict how things are effected when it has to do with the brain. Hang in there!! Not sure if this was any help/reassurance or anything since it's not 100% the same, but I can tell you I know how it feels when dealing with unknowns about the brain. Keep us posted!

chickpea912 · January 2014

No personal experience, but sending positive thoughts your way. Also, so awesome that your other doctor is coming as well - it'll be great to have that support and hopefully another pair of eyes in the room to help make sure you're clear on what is going on.

ELC252011 · January 2014

No experience but FX for good news.

abastian00 · January 2014

Julie&Micah said:
I had a similar but not exact experience with first LO. The space between 3rd and 4th ventricles was enlarged. Called a Blake's Pouch Cyst. Like your description, it was described to us as having a possibility of being connected to some pretty bad things/syndromes, but also could end up being fine. They monitored her monthly at the perinatologist to see if it got bigger/smaller/stayed the same. Everything else from ultrasounds and amnio looked fine for her. She was also monitored into her first year of life. Ultimately my DD turned out fine! The cyst is not causing her any difficulties and she right on track! She turned 2 in October.
It is really positive that everything else is looking fine and good for your baby. It can be hard to just 'wait and see' how the baby does and if things stay the same/change/etc. Unfortunately they can't always predict how things are effected when it has to do with the brain. Hang in there!! Not sure if this was any help/reassurance or anything since it's not 100% the same, but I can tell you I know how it feels when dealing with unknowns about the brain. Keep us posted!

I can't express how much I love you for sharing this! It's just the right amount of hope I needed right now. Thank you, a million times over!

jenandbrett · January 2014

I'm sorry, I know the waiting is so hard. I'm sure everything will be ok. I'm praying for your sweet baby.

Julie&Micah · January 2014

abastian00 said:

Julie&Micah said:
I had a similar but not exact experience with first LO. The space between 3rd and 4th ventricles was enlarged. Called a Blake's Pouch Cyst. Like your description, it was described to us as having a possibility of being connected to some pretty bad things/syndromes, but also could end up being fine. They monitored her monthly at the perinatologist to see if it got bigger/smaller/stayed the same. Everything else from ultrasounds and amnio looked fine for her. She was also monitored into her first year of life. Ultimately my DD turned out fine! The cyst is not causing her any difficulties and she right on track! She turned 2 in October.
It is really positive that everything else is looking fine and good for your baby. It can be hard to just 'wait and see' how the baby does and if things stay the same/change/etc. Unfortunately they can't always predict how things are effected when it has to do with the brain. Hang in there!! Not sure if this was any help/reassurance or anything since it's not 100% the same, but I can tell you I know how it feels when dealing with unknowns about the brain. Keep us posted!
I can't express how much I love you for sharing this! It's just the right amount of hope I needed right now. Thank you, a million times over!

Glad you found it helpful

It can be a tough place to be in not knowing anything and often not being able to get answers either. I hope you are able to get some good news soon!

KeyLime81 · January 2014

No advice, but I'll be sending you some positive thoughts and praying for your sweet LO.

mandys83 · January 2014

Hello, do u know the actual measurement that they said the ventricle is? I do ultrasound for high risk pregnancy, the doctors I work with say under 10mm is normal, even if its 9.5mm still normal.

abastian00 · January 2014

mandys83 said:
Hello, do u know the actual measurement that they said the ventricle is? I do ultrasound for high risk pregnancy, the doctors I work with say under 10mm is normal, even if its 9.5mm still normal.

I believe said 9mm, or at least that's what my normal OB (not the diagnosing dr) recollects when we spoke again over the weekend. They want to see if there is any progression over the week. Is this normal in your experience? Thank you SO much for your feedback!

MommaAshley12 · January 2014

No experience. Just wanted to offer you my prayers and some ((hugs))). I hope everything turns out well at your next scan.

misscarter87 · January 2014

No experience but t&p hoping everything goes well next scan

Shineoncrazy · January 2014

No experience here either, but I hope everything turns out okay! Prayers and FX for your next scan and precious LO!

lefriday · January 2014

No input.., just virtual hugs!

mattanda2011 · January 2014

Again, not exactly the same but similar. My DD had a cyst on one of her ventricles. Very similar that it can be nothing or it can be associated with some not so great syndromes. I Kkow how scary the waiting can be, but as someone else said the fact that everything else is normal is a great sign. My OB described it as this, sick babies looks sick all over, and this small ventricle issue is something to look at more, but don't forget the big picture. My DD was monitored to see if the cyst went away, our OB was sure it would be gone by 35 weeks. Well it wasn't and it was there when they did a brain ultrasound 2 days after she was born. All that being said she is completely fine, about to turn 1, has hit all of her milestones on time and it is no longer a thought for us.

T&p your way! I know the waiting is so hard! Please keep us updated

abastian00 · January 2014

mattanda2011 said:

Again, not exactly the same but similar. My DD had a cyst on one of her ventricles. Very similar that it can be nothing or it can be associated with some not so great syndromes. I Kkow how scary the waiting can be, but as someone else said the fact that everything else is normal is a great sign. My OB described it as this, sick babies looks sick all over, and this small ventricle issue is something to look at more, but don't forget the big picture. My DD was monitored to see if the cyst went away, our OB was sure it would be gone by 35 weeks. Well it wasn't and it was there when they did a brain ultrasound 2 days after she was born. All that being said she is completely fine, about to turn 1, has hit all of her milestones on time and it is no longer a thought for us. T&p your way! I know the waiting is so hard! Please keep us updated

Thank you SO much for sharing! Honestly, it helps more than you know. I thrilled to hear your DD is doing so wonderfully. It really gives me all the hope I need to get through this next week.