Pediatric Congenital Brain Anomaly Surgery

A congenital brain anomaly is an abnormality or malformation of the brain tissue and/or the bone structure that surrounds it. These anomalies form in the womb, often in the earlier months of pregnancy. As such, they are present at birth. Many of these anomalies lack known root causes. That said, medical advances continue to provide new insights into the genesis of common congenital brain abnormalities.

Medical advances also allow doctors to detect many types of brain abnormalities during the various stages of pregnancy. Early detection of these anomalies allows parents and doctors to prepare a tentative plan of action before a child is born.

Causes of congenital brain anomalies

Brain anomalies that are present at birth are caused by one or more factors. These factors can either be environmental, genetic, medical or a combination of one or more of these factors. For example, brain anomalies can be caused by:

• A mother’s chronic condition
• The effects of medication, drugs or alcohol
• A hereditary genetic condition
• Trisomy, where a fetus develops three chromosomes instead of two
• Exposure to radiation during radiotherapy or some other situation
• An infection in the mother’s body
• Trauma to the unborn fetus

Whatever the root cause of a congenital brain anomaly, it can affect a person’s life. The effects of these conditions range from mild impairment to life-threatening disability. A team of doctors from different disciplines work together to chart a course of treatment that improves a patient’s outcome.

Types of surgery

Each congenital brain anomaly requires a different treatment plan informed by the severity of an individual’s condition. The treatment plan almost always involves surgical intervention. Here are some examples of such surgeries and the conditions that they treat.

1. Surgical treatment for encephalocele

Encephalocele is a condition where a child is born with an exposed brain. The brain is neither covered by bone (the skull) nor by skin (the scalp). This condition leaves the brain at risk of injury, infection and exposure to the elements. Without treatment, encephalocele can be fatal.

Doctors treat this condition with surgery that ultimately covers up the exposed brain. This involves draining excess fluid and any obstructive bone or soft tissue to make room for the exposed part of the brain. It also involves repositioning and covering the exposed part of the brain by adjusting bone tissue in the skull.

2. Surgical treatment for hydrocephalus

Hydrocephalus is a condition where excess cerebrospinal fluid accumulates in the brain. Doctors treat this condition by draining the excess fluid and creating a drainage mechanism. Often, the doctor will place a shunt that redirects excess fluid to the abdominal cavity. Other times, the doctor will perform a procedure to make a hole in the brain ventricle to let excess fluid out.

3. Surgical treatment for arachnoid cysts

Arachnoid cysts are fluid-filled sacs that form on one of the layers of brain tissue. Doctors treat these cysts by drilling holes in the head, where the cysts are located. They proceed to drain the cysts and create small openings that allow fluid to drain out of the cysts.

Timely treatment is key

Depending on the type of congenital brain anomaly, surgery can improve a patient’s ultimate outcome and quality of life. Your doctor can provide medical help for congenital brain abnormalities before and after a baby is born. Get in touch to find out how your doctor can improve the life of someone you care about.

Request an appointment here: https://www.drloudonpediatricneurosurgery.com or call Dr. William G. Loudon, Pediatric Neurosurgery at (714) 677-9463 for an appointment in our Orange office.

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