An occipital encephalocystocele involving both sides of the lateral ventricles.

We reported a rare case of an occipital encephalocystocele linked by bilateral posterior horns of the lateral ventricles. The subject was a newborn girl with a large occipital cephalocele (6 x 9 cm in diameter) covered with alopetic skin. Cerebrospinal fluid leakage was not observed. The fontanel was soft, but a characteristic flat forehead was noted. Neither neurological deficits nor cardiopulmonary dysfunctions were evident at birth. Magnetic resonance images revealed that the sac contained the occipital lobes and that the cavity was linked by bilateral posterior horns. Agenesis of the corpus callosum and dysgenesis of the falx cerebri were associated. Fifteen days after birth, the cephalocele was removed surgically. Cutting sections revealed that the cephalocele contained enlarged bilateral posterior horns and cerebral hemispheres. The postoperative course was uncomplicated by hydrocephalus or infection, and the patient was discharged without any neurological deficit 22 days after surgery. Her milestone was survival; and at present 12 months after surgery, she is alive with moderate developmental retardation. Copyright 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel