Large encephalocele at the anterior fontanel

Abstract

The authors report a newborn girl with a large meningoencephalocele, 18.5 cm in diameter, at the anterior fontanel. She had several accompanying anomalies, including microcephalus, cleft palate, and a uvula bifida. A plain skull x-ray revealed craniolacunia and a computed tomography (CT) scan showed maldevelopment of the cerebrum. The mass was resected, after which the fontanel was noted to bulge. CT demonstrated dilated lateral ventricles. A successful shunting procedure permitted the infant to leave the hospital in good general condition. © 1989, The Japan Neurosurgical Society. All rights reserved.