A preterm neonate with an abnormal sac protruding from his skull!
This is a rare condition called Meningoencephalocele, a type of encephalocele, which entails a protrusion of the meninges and brain through a congenital defect in the cranium (skull), usually in the frontal or occipital region.Hydrocephalus, abnormalities of the eyeball and tear duct, and other findings such as paralyzed arms and legs, seizures, ataxia, and microcephaly (small head) have been associated with the condition with some affected newborns have intellectual or physical disabilities while others have normal development and abilities.The majority of encephaloceles usually contain a degenerative cerebral cortex, which is often excised during reparative surgery. If the sac contains normal brain tissue, techniques such as ‘expan- sion cranioplasty’ and ‘ventricular volume reduction’ can be done to preserve the herniated brain. However, in most of the cases, herniated brain tissue is excised.Photo by @neurosurgerychair