Meningoencefalocele occipital

Abstract

Introduction: Encephalocele is a type of neural tube malformation, in which the lack of separation of the superficial ectoderm of the neuroectoderm during embryogenesis causes a mesodermal defect in the calota, allowing the brain and/or meninges to protrude through the defect in the skull.

Objective: Describe a clinical case focused on occipital Meningoencephaloocele.

Material and methods: Retrospective descriptive study, presentation of a clinical case of occipital meningoencephalocele.

Results: It is a 2-hour 20-minutemale newborn obtained by caesarean section, a large-term c-section for gestational age, of 40 SG. Prenatal history: mother with morbid obesity, intake of iron and folic acid in the last 4 months of pregnancy. Neuronal migration disorder is reported in theultrasound performed at 28 weeks. The physical examination shows macrocephaly and multilobed softmass at the occipital region level. Following neurosurgery assessment, a skull CT is indicated where occipital meningocele, hydrocephalus and Dandy Walker malformation is reported. After 24 hours of his birth, he is surgically involved for meningocele closure and right ventricle-peritoneal bypass valve placement, without complication. At 24 hours post-surgical, new skull CT is performed reporting Dandy Walker malformation. The patient evolves favorably, breast milk feeding is restored with good suction, deciding to discharge, on the tenth day of hospitalization, on September 6, 2018 with control by external consultation.

Conclusions: Encephalocele is a type of neural tube malformation, allowing the brain and/or meninges to protrude through the defect in the skull. Although most encephaloceles are easily diagnosed through ultrasonography, it is a challenge to investigate and intervene in prenatal modifiable risk factors, as well as surgical intervention for meningocele closure.