Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41269339›Full record

ReviewNeuroradiology2026

Fetal mri of obstructive hydrocephalus: a review proposing a surgical etiology-based approach.

Mario Tortora, Francesco Pacchiano, Chiara Doneda, Filippo Arrigoni, Giana Izzo, Ferdinando Caranci, Fabio Tortora, Cecilia Parazzini, Kshitij Mankad, Andrea Righini

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Neuroradiology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Mario TortoraNeuroradiology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
Francesco PacchianoNeuroradiology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy. fpacchiano1@gmail.com.
Chiara DonedaPediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit, V. Buzzi Childrens Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Filippo ArrigoniPediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit, V. Buzzi Childrens Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Giana IzzoPediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit, V. Buzzi Childrens Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Ferdinando CaranciDepartment of Precision Medicine, University of Campania "L. Vanvitelli", Caserta, Italy.
Fabio TortoraNeuroradiology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.
Cecilia ParazziniPediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit, V. Buzzi Childrens Hospital, Milan, Italy.
Kshitij MankadNeuroradiology department, Great Ormond Street Hospital, London, UK.
Andrea RighiniPediatric Radiology and Neuroradiology Unit, V. Buzzi Childrens Hospital, Milan, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionVentriculomegaly (VM) is the fetal central nervous system (CNS) anomaly most commonly represented in prenatal imaging. It is defined as a lateral ventricle of dimensions greater than or equal to 10 mm; it can be unilateral or bilateral. More generally, hydrocephalus is defined as an imbalance between brain parenchyma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) due to an abnormal increase of the latter within the ventricles in an almost bilateral manner. To identify ventriculomegaly and categorize its severity, the appropriate imaging and measurement methods are crucial. Clinical outcomes vary greatly because of the wide differential diagnosis. Furthermore, there is a significant chance that these causes may recur in subsequent pregnancies. Pregnancy care and counseling depend on a precise diagnosis of the underlying cause. MATERIALS AND

methodsWe retrospectively reviewed our institutional fetal MR imaging database (4568 examinations) from 2005 until 2024. We focused on obstructive hydrocephalus and, according to rigorous inclusion/exclusion criteria (Table 1), we enrolled 201 cases.

resultsWe analyzed isolated aqueduct stenosis (36.3%); hemorrhagic events (30.3%); rhombencephalosynapsis (7.5%); dural sinus malformation (6%); midline cysts (5.4%); diencephalic-mesencephalic junction (DMJ) dysplasia (3.5%); infectious lesions (3%); tumors (2.5%); Chiari 1 (1.5%); Walker Warburg disease (1%); not otherwise specified (3%). DISCUSSION: We discuss the different etiologies of obstructive hydrocephalus in our population and propose an etiology-based approach that allows the clinician and radiologist to reach the correct differential diagnosis and provide an indication for possible fetal surgery.

conclusionHydrocephalus arises from embryological abnormalities or acquired insults, requiring precise neuroimaging for diagnosis and management. A thorough imaging approach aids in etiological diagnosis, surgical planning, and essential counseling.

Indexed as

HydrocephalusMagnetic Resonance ImagingPrenatal DiagnosisDiagnosis, DifferentialFemaleHumansPregnancyRetrospective StudiesCSFFetal MRIHydrocephalusVentriculomegaly

Identifiers

PMID41269339
PMCPMC12906539

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.