Hemimegalencephaly associated with contralateral hemispheral volume loss

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Developmental Neuroscience
• Pediatric Neurology

Background:

• Hemimegalencephaly is a congenital brain malformation involving unilateral overgrowth of the cerebral hemisphere.
• Typically, the contralateral hemisphere remains unaffected in cases of hemimegalencephaly.
• Previous literature has not documented hemimegalencephaly co-occurring with contralateral hemispheric volume loss.

Observation:

• This report describes a neonate diagnosed with hemimegalencephaly.
• The patient presented with diffuse volume loss in the hemisphere opposite to the enlarged one.
• This represents a previously unreported association in the medical literature.

Findings:

• The co-occurrence of hemimegalencephaly and contralateral volume loss was observed.
• This finding challenges the typical presentation of hemimegalencephaly.
• The study highlights a potential spectrum of congenital hemispheric insults.

Implications:

• This case suggests a more complex etiology for hemimegalencephaly than previously understood.
• It implies that a single congenital insult may manifest with variable severity and timing, affecting both hemispheres.
• Further research is warranted to explore the underlying mechanisms and diagnostic implications of this association.