Cystic Encephalomalacia Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Prognosis, Treatment

Encephalomalacia is a form of severe brain injury characterized by the loss or weakening of brain tissue. In most cases, encephalomalacia can be traced back to inflammation or bleeding in the brain that occurred as a direct result of a previous injury or illness, such as cerebral ischemia, cerebral infarction, sepsis, craniocerebral trauma, or another type of injury.

The term "encephalomalacia" is frequently used after a gross pathological examination since it is much simpler to describe the softening of the brain and the blurring of the cortical borders.

Acute perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is usually always linked with cystic encephalomalacia and multicystic encephalopathy. The events that take place during labor and delivery are the root cause of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in many full-term newborns. In certain instances, the cause of hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is evident, such as placental abruption, umbilical cord injury, or suspected circulatory distress resulting from a difficult delivery. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy may be the outcome of medical negligence when a healthcare professional fails to respond promptly to indicators of hypoxia or ischemia.

Definition

The term "Cystic encephalomalacia" describes a condition in which the cerebral cortex of a newborn or infant develops several cystic cavities of varying sizes as a result of trauma (most often perinatal hypoxic-ischemic episodes). 

Symptoms

There is a wide range of severity in symptoms experienced by patients with Cystic encephalomalacia. Severe cases of Cystic encephalomalacia are associated with epileptic episodes and developmental disorders, whereas mild occurrences of Cystic encephalomalacia are associated with few or no seizures and normal neurodevelopment. A diagnosis is typically made before the age of one in infants with significant abnormalities who exhibit symptoms of the illness soon after delivery.

Other symptoms that may show up include 

• Excessive drowsiness (which is called somnolence)
• Blindness, ataxia
• Lack of coordination
• Sleepwalking and  
• Terminal coma

Causes

Acute perinatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is nearly always linked with cystic encephalomalacia and multicystic encephalopathy.

Events that happen during labor and delivery often result in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in mature newborns. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can have clear causes in some situations, such as placental abruption, an injury involving the umbilical cord, or suspected cardiovascular distress brought on by a challenging delivery. If a healthcare provider misses the indicators of hypoxia or ischemia and a patient develops hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, it may be the result of medical malpractice.

Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy is an extremely serious illness that can have a major impact on a person's life. Learning difficulties and delayed development may be brought on by hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy in milder situations. Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy can be linked to the following in moderate to severe cases:

• Injuries to the brain
• Cognitive impairment
• Epilepsy
• Craniosynostosis
• Cortico-visual dysfunction

Prognosis

The prognosis for infants diagnosed with encephalomalacia is not favorable due to the nature of their illness. Typically, no treatment can save such young individuals.

Unfortunately, if a newborn makes it through the cerebral softening stage, there is a significant risk that he will develop severe neurological abnormalities later in life. However, there is a better outlook for adults who are diagnosed with encephalomalacia.

It is more likely that an adult patient will make a full recovery if the illness is diagnosed at an earlier stage. Despite brain atrophy, adults can still live long and fulfilling life.

Treatment

Because brain tissue cannot repair itself after being destroyed, once it is gone, it is gone permanently. This means that once it is gone, it cannot be replaced. Therefore, preventing or reducing existing brain damage becomes the main goal of treatment.

Treatment for encephalomalacia typically includes a combination of the following:

(1)The identification of any underlying diseases that may be responsible for these alterations in brain tissue. (2) In extreme circumstances, the removal of damaged brain tissue. However, there is no assurance that physiological function will return. (3) Stem-cell treatment.