encephalocele
Also known as cranium bifidum
Encephalocele is a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development. Encephaloceles cause a groove down the middle of the skull, or between the forehead and nose, or on the back side of the skull. The severity of encephalocele varies, depending on its location.
Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Encephalocele
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Cranium bifidum
- Medical condition (new).image
- Encephalocele-web.jpg
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Illustration of a child with encephalocele
- Medical condition (new).onset
- congenital
- Medical condition (new).treatment
- Surgery
via Wikipedia infobox
Wikidata facts
- Image
- A neonate with a large encephalocele.jpg
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Article
12 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- Causes
- Diagnosis
- Classifications
- Prevention
- Treatment
- Recovery
- Epidemiology
- Notable cases
- See also
- References
- External links
Encephalocele is a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development. Encephaloceles cause a groove down the middle of the skull, or between the forehead and nose, or on the back side of the skull. The severity of encephalocele varies, depending on its location.
==Signs and symptoms== Encephaloceles are often accompanied by craniofacial abnormalities or other brain malformations. Symptoms may include neurologic problems, hydrocephalus (cerebrospinal fluid accumulated in the brain), spastic quadriplegia (paralysis of the limbs), microcephaly (an abnormally small head), ataxia (uncoordinated muscle movement), developmental delay, vision problems, mental and growth retardation, and seizures.