Radiological Diagnosis of Hydrancephaly in a Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt, A Case Report

Authors

  • Chidinma Wekhe Department of Radiology, Braithwaite Memorial Specialist Hospital, Port Harcourt
  • Enighe Ugboma Department of Radiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt
  • Chukwuemeka Agu Department of Radiology, University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt

Keywords:

Hydrancephaly, Congenital Abnormality, Port Harcourt, Computed axial tomography

Abstract

Background: Hydrancephaly a rare disorder, is an extreme form of porencephaly occurring in less than 1 in 10,000 live births and about 0.2% of infantile autopsies. It may present with delayed milestones in children and need a high index of suspicion to diagnose. The aim of this case report is to improve awareness on the use of imaging in the evaluation of children with poor development and the diagnosis of intracranial abnormalities.

Methods: We describe a case of hydrancephaly in the computed tomography (CT) of an infant male with delayed developmental milestone referred to us for CT brain in Braithwaithe Memorial Specialist Hospital Port Harcourt and also present a review of the literature.

Results: Hydrancephalyis characterized by varying degrees of absence of cerebral hemispheres and basal ganglia. The falx may or may not be absent depending on the severity. However the thalami, pons, cerebral peduncles and cerebellum are usually present. The remaining cranial cavity is thus filled with cerebrospinal fluid. The condition is usually and typically congenital, due to in utero vascular insults to the brain. Presentation varies in different patients but with the increasing use of different advanced imaging modalities more cases are being diagnosed.

Conclusion: Brain imaging should be recommended by paediatricians and other doctors in the investigation of children with poor development as this may lead to the diagnosis of rare and unsuspected intracranial abnormalities.

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Published

2016-04-10

How to Cite

Wekhe, C., Ugboma, E., & Agu, C. (2016). Radiological Diagnosis of Hydrancephaly in a Specialist Hospital in Port Harcourt, A Case Report. The Nigerian Health Journal, 15(3), 139. Retrieved from https://tnhjph.com/index.php/tnhj/article/view/232

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