Encephalocele--a single institution African experience.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

This study seeks to find out the presentation, management and complications of encephaloceles in an African setting.

DESIGN:

a retrospective study reviewing the age and sex of the patients, type and contents of encephaloceles, associated anomalies, preoperative evaluation and investigations, surgical approaches, intra- and post-operative complications as well as follow-up outcomes.

SETTING:

Bethany Crippled Children's centre and Bethanykids at Kijabe Hospital (BKKH), between January 1998 and August 2006.

PATIENTS:

Of the 53 patients seen, 23 were males and 30 females. The median age at presentation was four months.

RESULTS:

The follow-up period extended to eight years. Twenty nine patients had occipital encephaloceles, and 39 were operated using the direct external approach. Cererobrospinal fluid leak was the most common post-operative complication. Recurrence occurred in four patients and death in six.

CONCLUSIONS:

Most of the encephalocele patients manage d at BKKH had good outcomes and proceeded to live normal or near-normal lives. Our study confirms that even in resource-constrained areas, children with encephaloceles can be successfully managed with acceptable outcomes.

• Authors: N Munyi, D Poenaru, R Bransford, L Albright
• Journal: East African medical journal (East Afr Med J) Vol. 86 Issue 2 Pg. 51-4 (Feb 2009) ISSN: 0012-835X [Print] Kenya
• PMID: 19894467 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Encephalocele (chemically induced, diagnosis, epidemiology, surgery)
• Female
• Humans
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Kenya (epidemiology)
• Male
• Retrospective Studies
• Risk Factors