porencephaly
porencephaly Causes
Porencephaly is caused by cysts or cavities in a cerebral hemisphere, which is due to abnormal development or the remnants of destructive lesions. The latter often results from damage due to stroke or infection after birth. Abnormal development before birth is inherited but a less common cause of the disorder.
porencephaly Definition
Porencephaly is a disorder of the central nervous system due to a cyst or cavity in a cerebral hemisphere that may occur before or after birth.
porencephaly Diagnosis
The cysts are sometimes detected by transillumination of the skull in infancy. Physicians confirm the diagnosis by CT, MRI, or ultrasonography.
porencephaly Symptoms and Signs
Infants severely affected show symptoms immediately after birth and are often diagnosed before age 1. The infants may have delayed growth and development, slight or incomplete paralysis, decreased muscle tone, seizures, and macrocephaly or microcephaly. Others may be mentally retarded or die before the age 20. Some patients have minor neurological problems and normal intelligence.
porencephaly Treatment
Patients undergo physical therapy, a shunt for hydrocephalus, and take medication for seizure disorders.