Transient ventriculomegaly in an adolescent presenting with shunted hydrocephalus, diabetic ketoacidosis, and hyperglycemia.

In this report, the authors describe a unique presentation of ventriculomegaly in the setting of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). A 15-year-old male, with a history of shunt placement for hydrocephalus and repair of a myelomeningocele, presented to the emergency room with DKA and was found to have ventriculomegaly. At the time of presentation, the patient had a 24- to 48-hour history of lethargy, nausea, vomiting, fever (102.2 degrees F), and polydipsia. A computed tomographic (CT) scan of the head indicated increased ventricular size compared with previous studies, thus prompting a neurosurgical evaluation. Blood glucose level at admission was found to be 1,551 mg/dl, bicarbonate level was 9 mmol/l, and pH was 7.08. The patient was treated for DKA; his fever, lethargy, nausea, and vomiting subsequently resolved. A repeat CT scan obtained 24 h after admission revealed a return of the ventricular system to its baseline size. On the basis of radiographic and laboratory evaluations, the authors hypothesize that the transient ventriculomegaly was directly related to extreme hyperglycemia.