Long-term outcome in surgically treated encephalocele

This report describes long-term operative outcome of 24 cases with occipital encephalocele. The follow-up periods are between 4 and 20 years. Of the 24 patients with occipital encephalocele, two have died. Of the 22 living patients, 16 are living without neurological deficit, while six are disabled mentally and/or physically. Four cases of encephalocele developed hydrocephalus, and two of them died while the other two are still living with severe handicap. The presence of gross brain tissue in the sac of encephalocele and the size of the sac were also unfavorable factors for the prognosis. We conclude that the size and the content of the sac and associated hydrocephalus are the important factors that influence the long-term prognosis of occipital encephalocele.