Porencephaly
Overview
Porencephaly: A central nervous system disorder involving cysts in the brain cortex caused by stroke, infection or genetic anomaly.
Symptoms
The list of signs and symptoms mentioned in various sources for Porencephaly includes the 25 symptoms listed below: * Delayed growth * Delayed development * Spastic paresis (slight or incomplete paralysis) * Hypotonia (low muscle tone) * Seizures * Infantile spasms * Macrocephaly (large head) * Microcephaly (small head) * Poor speech development * Epilepsy * Hydrocephalus * Spastic contractures * Mental retardation * Severe disablement * Low muscle tone * Seizures * Enlarged head * Small head * Speech problems * Accumulation of fluid in the brain * Mental retardation * Neurological symptoms * Retarded growth * Developmental delay * Slight paralysis on one side of body Note that Porencephaly symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Porencephaly signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor. More ways to research these symptoms: To research other symptoms use the symptom center, or to research causes of more than one symptom in combination, try our multi-symptom search. TopResearch More About Porencephaly Do I have Porencephaly? * Porencephaly: Introduction * How serious is it? * Treatments for Porencephaly * More about Porencephaly
Causes
Porencephaly most likely has a number of different, often unknown causes, including absence of brain development and destruction of brain tissue. Conditions listing Porencephaly as a symptom may also be potential underlying causes of Porencephaly. Other Possible Causes of these Symptoms * Delayed development * Delayed growth * Developmental delay * Enlarged head * Epilepsy * Hydrocephalus * Hypotonia (low muscle tone) * Infantile spasms * Low muscle tone * Macrocephaly (large head) * Mental retardation * Mental retardation * Microcephaly (small head) * Neurological symptoms * Poor speech development * Retarded growth * Seizures * Seizures * Small head * Spastic contractures * Spastic paresis (slight or incomplete paralysis) * Speech problems
Diagnosis
The presence of porencephalic cysts can sometimes be detected by transillumination of the skull in infancy. The diagnosis may be confirmed by CT, MRI, or ultrasonography.
Prognosis
The prognosis for individuals with porencephaly varies according to the location and extent of the lesion. Some patients with this disorder may develop only minor neurological problems and have normal intelligence, while others may be severely disabled. Others may die before the second decade of life.
Treatment
Treatment may include physical therapy, medication for seizure disorders, and a shunt for hydrocephalus.