Congenital Atresia of the Foramens of Luschka and Magendie

The existence of the foramens of Luschka and Magendie has been the subject of controversy in the past. Hence it is not surprising that confusion has arisen regarding congenital abnormalities of these structures. While certain earlier writers (Sutton; Dandy and Blackfan) accurately described the phenomena that may arise if the foramens do not develop normally, recent authors (Pines and Surabaschwili; Castrillón; Sahs) have failed to recognize the pathology so produced. For this reason a detailed discussion of the clinical and pathologic aspects of congenital atresia of the foramens of Luschka and Magendie seems pertinent. HISTORY Few cases of this anomaly have been reported. Certain articles published in the latter half of the nineteenth century were probably concerned with this condition, but owing to inadequate descriptions it is impossible to be certain of their classification (von Recklinghausen). Virchow referred to and illustrated a hydrocele of the fourth ventricle but did not