How is encephalocele treated?

Treatment. Encephalocele is treated with surgery to place the protruding part of the brain and the membranes covering it back into the skull and close the opening in the skull. However, neurologic problems caused by the encephalocele will still be present. Long-term treatment depends on the child’s condition.Click to see full answer. Also to know is, can a baby survive encephalocele?Babies with an encephalocele at the back of the head have a 55 percent survival rate. Long-term prognosis for survival becomes less likely if there are other complications, such as associated defects or syndromes or if brain tissue protrudes into the sac.Subsequently, question is, is encephalocele hereditary? Encephaloceles are usually dramatic deformities diagnosed immediately after birth; but occasionally a small encephalocele in the nasal and forehead region can go undetected. There is a genetic component to the condition; it often occurs in families with a history of spina bifida and anencephaly in other family members. Subsequently, question is, what causes encephalocele? An encephalocele forms when the neural tube does not close properly during gestation. A neural tube is a narrow channel that folds and closes to form the brain and spinal cord. The exact cause, however, is unknown. It usually occurs among families with a history of spina bifida and anencephaly.How early can encephalocele be detected?Sometimes encephaloceles are detected during a routine prenatal ultrasound, at as early as 13 weeks’ gestation. If an encephalocele is suspected on an ultrasound, a fetal MRI can provide all the detail necessary to confirm the diagnosis.