Radiological colpocephaly: a congenital malformation or the result of intrauterine and perinatal brain damage.

The term colpocephaly, meaning disproportional enlargement of the occipital horns of the lateral ventricles, was considered in the past to be a distinct congenital malformation acquired in early intrauterine life. During the last few years several cases were reported in whom a variety of intrauterine and perinatal causes could be associated with this radiological picture. We report on 9 children with radiological colpocephaly in whom intrauterine and/or perinatal injury to the developing brain seemed to be the cause of colpocephaly. It is evident from our observations that "radiological colpocephaly" is a non-specific finding caused frequently by CNS damage acquired during intrauterine and perinatal life.