Encephalocele


Description
An Encephalocele, which may be found anywhere in the craniofacial region, forms when the brain tissue pushes through a bony defect of the skull. This skull defect can be caused by abnormal skull growth and may be part of various syndromes. An Encephalocele usually occurs in the fronto-orbital region or as a herniation located between the orbits, but it also occurs on the top of the head or skull at any location or in the base of the skull. When it presents in the intraoral cavity, it causes clefting of the palate.

An Encephalocele most frequently occurs in the posterior skull, but it may be found in the fronto-orbital region or as a herniation located between the orbits. This skull defect can be caused by abnormal skull growth and may be part of various syndromes. When it presents in the interoral cavity, it causes clefting of the palate.

Expectations and Treatment
In some situation, this deformity is surgically corrected upon diagnosis to prevent infections. However, the ideal time is between age 1 and 2 years, or from 1 to 5 for definitive correction, depending on the deformity.

Case Studies

Frontonasal Encephalocele

Frontonasal Encephalocele
Preoperative frontal view of a 2-year-old patient with frontonasal encephalocele. Postoperative frontal view 1 year after surgical correction.



Posterior Encephalocele with Cranial Vault Deformity

Posterior Encephalocele with Cranial Vault Deformity
Preoperatuve lateral view of a 2-year-old patient with a marked cranial-vault abnormality due to a posterior encephalocele. Postoperative right lateral view 2 weeks after surgical correction. Three-dimensional CT shows the cylindrical cranial-vault distortion by the posterior encephalocele. Postoperative lateral roentgenogram. Split cranial bone was reshaped and recontoured for reconstruction.