Pre-operative assessment of ventricular size and ventricle-to-hemisphere area ratio permits estimation of the need for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion during the first three…

Purpose: Minimally-invasive fetoscopic surgery of spina bifida aperta (SBA) may improve postnatal neurological outcome as well as obviate the need for hydrocephalus treatment. The purpose of this analysis was to evaluate the potential of simple ultrasound measurements taken before fetal surgery in estimating the need for ventriculo-peritoneal shunt insertion during the first three months of postnatal life. Patients and methods: 35 Patients were included. The ventricular atrium was measured in a standardized transverse plane of the fetal head. In addition, the lateral ventricle/hemisphere-area-ratio was measured…