Background
Encephalocele is a congenital anomaly of the central nervous system characterized with herniation of cranial contents outside the brain through a bony skull defect.
Objective
The aim of this study is to present our experience, technique and results of 14 patients with occipital encephaloceles managed surgically at Banha University over 4 years period.
Materials and methods
14 patients who were diagnosed with occipital encephaloceles and referred to our neurosurgery department at Banha university between 2015 and 2019 were enrolled in this study.
The clinical findings, radiological findings, perioperative management and surgical outcome were assessed.
Results
In the study, 14 patients (10 girls, 4 boys), whose age varied between newborn and 2 months, were evaluated. The size of the sac ranged from (2 cm x 3 cm) to (10 cm x 13 cm). Surgery was performed for all patients, 2 (14.2%) of the 14 patients died. The morbidity rate in our study was (31.2%) in the form of developed hydrocephalus, CSF leak and infection.
Conclusion
Occipital encephalocele is commonly seen congenital anomaly in the practice of pediatric neurosurgery. Modern neuroimaging, neurosurgical techniques and perioperative care have greatly improved the management and outcome of occipital encephalocele.
Increased sac size, hydrocephalus, presence of neural tissue in the sac content and associated congenital anomalies are accompanied with bad outcome.
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