Can you see encephalocele on ultrasound?
Doctors diagnose most encephaloceles during a routine ultrasound. An alpha-fetoprotein blood test usually does not help to diagnose encephaloceles. This is because AFP levels are not typically elevated with this defect because the defect is covered by skin.
What is atretic encephalocele?
Atretic cephaloceles are small, skin-covered, subscalp lesions that contain meninges, neural rests, and glial rests. They are also known as atypical or rudimentary meningoceles, meningeal heterotopias, and meningoceles manqué. The development of atretic cephalocele has not been clearly elucidated.
What is a small cephalocele?
A cephalocele is defined as a herniation of cranial contents through a defect in the skull. Cephaloceles are classified according to their contents and location.
How is encephalocele diagnosed?
Sometimes encephaloceles are detected during a routine prenatal ultrasound, at as early as 13 weeks’ gestation. If an encephalocele is suspected on an ultrasound, a fetal MRI can provide all the detail necessary to confirm the diagnosis.
Can encephalocele be misdiagnosed?
This case highlights the uncommon site of anterior encephalocele; misdiagnosis and mismanagement of which could result in dreaded complications such as meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid leaking fistula formation.
Is cephalocele a neural tube defect?
Encephalocele is a rare type of birth defect of the neural tube that affects the brain. The neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes during the third and fourth weeks of pregnancy to form the brain and spinal cord.
When can encephalocele be detected?
Most encephaloceles are diagnosed on a routine prenatal ultrasound or seen right away when a baby is born. In some cases, small encephaloceles may initially go unnoticed. These encephaloceles are usually located near the baby’s nose or forehead.
How early can you detect encephalocele?
Usually encephaloceles are visible deformities and are diagnosed immediately after birth. Occasionally, a small encephalocele in the nasal or forehead region can go undetected. Sometimes encephaloceles are detected during a routine prenatal ultrasound, at as early as 13 weeks’ gestation.
Which CT scan findings are characteristic of an atretic encephalocele?
Axial CT scan of an atretic encephalocele: A cigar-shaped, interhemispheric area of lucency is present consistent with an arachnoidal cyst. MRI is the preferred imaging method for atretic encephaloceles.
How are atretic encephaloceles diagnosed?
Prenatal diagnosis of atretic encephaloceles and of associated anomalies is now possible by ultrasonography and/or maternal MRI ( 16 , 17, 28) Skull defect with sclerotic margins: Plain skull radiographs usually show an elongated or round cranial defect, often with sclerotic margins.
What are atretic cephaloceles?
Atretic parietal cephaloceles ( APC ), also known as atretic cephaloceles, are small subscalp lesions that consist of dura, fibrous tissue, and dysplastic brain tissue. Common presentation in infants and young children. Palpable midline parietal soft tissue mass.
What is the best imaging modality for encephalocele diagnosis?
MR imaging is the best imaging modality for defining the contents of an encephalocele prior to surgery. High-resolution CT may also be used to display the bone anatomy, but the intracranial connection is best defined with MR imaging.