[Hydranencephaly versus spelencephaly--a report of two cases (author's transl)].

Two cases are presented, one of hydranencephaly and one of spelencephaly. Spelencephaly represents an intermediate form between multicystic encephalopathy and hydranencephaly and is characterized by preservation of the ventricular walls. There is no clinical distinction between spelencephaly and hydranencephaly. Diagnosis can be made by pneumencephalography, as described in this paper, if the gas is applied via both lumbar and ventricular puncture. Autopsy findings of both cases are presented and the possible vascular etiology of the condition is discussed.