Porencephaly

[Sommer]

Porencephaly is a cavity that may develop prenatally or postnatally in a cerebral hemisphere.
Cavities often communicate with a ventricle, but they may also be enclosed (ie, noncommunicating) fluid-filled cysts. Increased intracranial pressure and progressive hydrocephalus can occur with porencephaly, especially with noncommunicating forms, but is uncommon.
Causes of porencephaly include

Genetic anomalies
Inflammatory diseases
Disorders that interrupt regional cerebral blood flow (eg, intraventricular hemorrhage with parenchymal extension)

Neurologic examination is usually abnormal, with manifestations including either low or increased muscle tone, developmental delays, hemiparesis, or impairment of visual attention. However, a few children develop only minor neurologic signs and have normal intelligence. Diagnosis of porencephaly is confirmed by cranial CT, MRI, or ultrasonography. Prognosis is variable.
Treatment of porencephaly is supportive.

[Greta]

A disorder characterized by the presence of one or more, usually congenital, cyst-like spaces in the brain, especially in the cerebral cortex, typically communicating with the ventricular system.