CRANIAL SURGERY

CONGENITAL CONDITIONS

Congenital brain conditions are caused by brain defects and abnormalities present at birth. There are different congenital brain conditions, varying in severity. Since the brain develops throughout pregnancy, the brain’s development process may be disturbed or interrupted by many factors causing structural defects in the brain and skull, affecting the different regions of the brain. These may include genetic defects, infections, spontaneous mutations within the embryo’s genes, damage to the foetus due to the mother’s exposure to toxins or drug use, or trauma to the foetus during pregnancy.

TYPES OF CONGENITAL BRAIN CONDITIONS

• Chiari Malformations – these defects involve the cerebellar tonsils protruding through the bottom opening of the skull, blocking the cerebrospinal fluid and causing compression of the brain and spinal cord.
• Encephaloceles – this is a defect in the neural tube of the brain, causing part of the brain to be exposed outside the skull and skin, leaving it vulnerable to infection and hydrocephalus.
• Arachnoid cyst – this is a common brain cyst caused by the splitting of the arachnoid membrane.
• Hydrocephalus – this condition is caused by a build-up of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) which puts pressure on the brain.
• Dandy-Walker syndrome – this condition is associated with trisomy of chromosome 9 and leads to the insufficient growth of the cerebellum.
• Holoprosencephaly – this condition occurs when the brain fails to divide into two halves or hemispheres.
• Abnormal growth of the brain – causes an abnormally large or heavy brain (known as Megalencephaly) or an abnormally small brain to develop (known as Microcephaly, commonly caused by the Zika virus).

These conditions may be mild and without symptoms or serious, requiring more substantial treatment.

TREATMENT

Depending on the type and severity of the condition, symptoms may be mild and go unnoticed for years, while others may be apparent at birth. After running a variety of tests at birth, or later in life, your neurosurgeon will be able to diagnose and plan treatment.

Neurosurgeons, craniofacial plastic specialists, geneticists and other specialities may be involved in the treatment of the condition and treatment may then be either medical or surgical, to ensure physical and/or mental abilities are - or remain - unaffected.

In some cases, where the congenital brain or spine malformations are not causing signs or symptoms, Dr Setati may recommend observation. For conditions which cause symptoms and appear more severe, surgery may be appropriate to address symptoms, correct form and functioning issues, maximise motor functioning as well as prevent neurological deficits.