title: Secondary pediatric encephalocele after ventriculosubgaleal shunting for posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus.
abstract: Intraventricular hemorrhage and posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus continue to be common complications in very low-birth-weight premature infants, often requiring ventricular shunting for cerebrospinal fluid diversion. We report on two infants with posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus that developed a secondary encephalocele after ventriculosubgaleal shunting. Encephaloceles can act as a source of seizure activity and can result in various additional complications including meningitis, abscess formation, and infarction of herniated brain parenchyma. With continued improvements in neonatal intensive care, the survival of infants with significant medical comorbidities-including those that develop posthemorrhagic hydrocephalus requiring ventricular shunting-continues to increase. It is thus important for the radiologist and treating physician to be aware of this rare, potential complication.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Seeburg
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neurosurgery, Department of Neurological Surgery, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Edward
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ahn
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatric Neuroradiology, Department of Radiology and Radiological Science, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States.
authors.forename: Thierry
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huisman
mesh_terms: D002557:Cerebrospinal Fluid Shunts / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006849:Hydrocephalus / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D020300:Intracranial Hemorrhages / Q000150:complications*; D011247:Pregnancy