porencephaly

Porencephaly is a rare birth defect characterized by the formation of cerebrospinal fluid-filled cysts or cavities within the cerebral hemispheres of the brain. This condition can arise from inherited developmental defects before birth or from brain tissue destruction due to stroke or infection in infancy.1

Symptoms of porencephaly can include developmental delays in growth and speech, seizures, partial paralysis, and abnormal muscle tone. It can also be associated with hydrocephalus (an enlarged head due to fluid buildup), microcephaly (a small head), or macrocephaly (an enlarged head). Severely affected individuals may not survive into adulthood.1