The prognosis for children with porencephaly varies according to the location and extent of the cysts or cavities. Some children with this disorder develop only minor neurological problems and have normal intelligence, while others may be
severely disabled and die before their second decade of life
.
Is porencephaly curable?
Currently,
there is no cure for porencephaly
because of the limited resources and knowledge about the neurological disorder.
What is Porencephalic in medical terms?
:
relating to or characterized by porencephaly a porencephalic brain
.
How is porencephaly inherited?
This genetic form of porencephaly is caused by
mutations of the COL4A1 gene
. This genetic mutation is inherited in an autosomal dominant pattern. Most individuals with autosomal dominant porencephaly type I have a parent with a COL4A1 mutation.
What is a Porencephalic cyst?
Background: A porencephalic cyst is
a cavity within the cerebral hemisphere, filled with cerebrospinal fluid, that communicates directly with the ventricular system
. It is a rare condition probably caused by vascular occlusion resulting from an insult during fetal development or an injury occurring later in life.
What causes Porencephaly?
It is usually the result of
damage from stroke or infection after birth
(the more common type), but it can also be caused by abnormal development before birth (which is inherited and less common).
Can arachnoid cysts grow?
The arachnoid cysts can
grow to a large size if they continue to retain cerebrospinal fluid
. In more extreme cases the cysts’ size may cause the head to change shape or may displace the surrounding lobes of the brain.
How common is Megalencephaly?
Who is at risk of megalencephaly? Megalencephaly is three to four time more common in males than females, reports The Gale Encyclopedia of Neurological Disorders. It affects
between 10 and 30 percent of patients with macrocephaly
Is Aicardi syndrome hereditary?
Nearly all known cases of Aicardi syndrome are sporadic, which means that they are not passed down through generations and occur in people with no history of the disorder in their family. The disorder is believed to result from new gene mutations. Aicardi syndrome is classified as an
X-linked dominant condition
.
What causes Polymicrogyria?
There are several known causes for polymicrogyria. The most common of which results from
the virus cytomegalovirus (CMV)
. Other causes include various prenatal infections, brain abnormalities, genetic disorders, and more. This condition may also result from brain injury while a baby is still in the womb.
What can happen if a cyst is left untreated?
If left untreated, benign cysts can cause serious complications including:
Infection
– the cyst fills with bacteria and pus, and becomes an abscess. If the abscess bursts inside the body, there is a risk of blood poisoning (septicaemia).
How serious is a brain cyst?
Large brain cysts
can block the normal flow of cerebrospinal fluid
, which can cause increased pressure on the brain. Cysts can also leak into other areas of the brain, or blood vessels on the cyst’s surface can bleed into the cyst causing a hematoma. If left untreated, cysts can cause neurological damage.
What is a subependymal cyst?
Subependymal pseudocysts are
cerebral cysts found in 5% of all neonates
. When they are isolated and typical, they result from persistence of the germinal matrix
What is Hydrancephaly?
Definition. Hydranencephaly is
a rare condition in which the brain’s cerebral hemispheres are absent and replaced by sacs filled with cerebrospinal fluid
.
What is congenital Porencephaly?
Porencephaly is
an extremely rare congenital disorder of the central nervous system
. It is a cavity filled with cerebrospinal fluid, in the brain’s parenchyma. It is caused by ischemia; haemorrhage after birth or less commonly as a consequence of abnormal development [1]. Porencephalic cysts can be located in any lobe.
What is cystic encephalomalacia hydrocephalus?
In porencephaly (or cystic encephalomalacia),
a fluid-filled cyst develops in brain tissue
. The fluid consists of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). CSF is the clear fluid that normally bathes the central nervous system. The central nervous system is made up of the brain and the spinal cord.
