Presentation
Delayed milestones. History of birth asphyxia.
Patient Data
Reduced volume of both cerebral hemispheres with multiple cystic areas of various sizes within the cortex and white matter with dilatation of the ventricular system (particularly the third and lateral ventricles) and atrophy of the corpus callosum. Note preserved posterior fossa.
Case Discussion
Multicystic encephalomalacia is considered a sequela of a diffuse insult to the brain (from ischemia, infection or developmental insults) in the antenatal or early postnatal period.
The multiple cysts result from the destruction of the cerebral white matter and the linear septae represent glial cells with some viable neurons.