cranium bifidum defects
Last reviewed 06/2022
There are minor defects in the cranium that are relatively uncommon, and are eminently treatable providing good skin cover is achieved. The prognosis in these cases is excellent. There is no associated spinal neurological lesion and the incidence of hydrocephalus is low.
A cranium bifidum defect may present with an occiptial meningocele or an encephalocele - the latter containing nervous tissue in the sac.
A meningocele is treatable although there is an increased likelihood of subsequent hydrocephalus. However a large enphalocoele is not treatable because the only interventions could be excision of a mass of brain tissue or closure of the defect resulting in raised intracranial pressure.