encephalocele

Encephalocele is a rare congenital neural tube defect characterized by the protrusion of brain tissue and meninges through a defect in the skull. The image depicts an infant with an occipital encephalocele, the most common form of this condition in Western countries, appearing as a sac-like protrusion from the back of the head. This serious birth defect occurs during early embryonic development when the neural tube fails to close properly, resulting in an opening in the skull through which brain tissue and cerebrospinal fluid can herniate. Early diagnosis, comprehensive evaluation, and timely surgical intervention are crucial for optimizing developmental outcomes in affected infants.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are serious birth defects of the brain, spine, or spinal cord. They occur during the first month of pregnancy, often before a woman even knows she's pregnant. The neural tube is the embryonic structure that eventually develops into the baby's brain and spinal cord and the tissues that enclose them. When this tube does not close completely, it results in neural tube defects.