Clinical Specialties
The GW Medical Faculty Associates is an elite, academic medical team delivering care through 51 medical and surgical specialties.
U-Systems Receives FDA PMA Approvable Letter for somo•v Automated Breast Ultrasound (ABUS) System
May 14, 2012 Trials and Tribulations of Assisted Reproduction
April 23, 2012 FDA Recommends 3-D Ultrasound For Breast Cancer Screening
April 11, 2012 FDA Panel Reviews Breast Cancer Screening Method
April 12, 2012 New ultrasound technology helps identify breast cancer
April 11, 2012
May 14, 2012 Trials and Tribulations of Assisted Reproduction
April 23, 2012 FDA Recommends 3-D Ultrasound For Breast Cancer Screening
April 11, 2012 FDA Panel Reviews Breast Cancer Screening Method
April 12, 2012 New ultrasound technology helps identify breast cancer
April 11, 2012
Encephalocele
DEFINITION
An encephalocele is a bulging out of the skull filled with brains and the membrane that surrounds them. Encephalocele in children is cause by neural tube defects. In adults, cerebrospinal fluid leaks or encephaloceles may occur as a result of trauma, obesity, high intracranial pressure as well as unknown causes. Patient's typically experience clear drainage from one nostril which is worsened with bending, exercise and straining. Cerebrospinal fluid leaks may cause serious complications such as meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes) or pneumocephalus (air in the brain).
SYMPTOMS
Clear drainage from the nose, headache
DIAGNOSIS
Diagnosis of encephalocele is made after a physical exam and history taken by your doctor. Your doctor will likely want to take some pictures of the head including a CT scan or MRI scan which can show where the bulging of the brain out of the skull is located. Depending on the location, your doctor will either have you see an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Doctor or a Neurosurgeon
TREATMENT
Traditionally, these leaks were repaired using large skull incisions, making bone flaps, retracting the brain, finding the leak and repairing it. Newer, minimally invasive endoscopic techniques allow the surgeon's to find and repair these leaks through the patient's nose, and natural opening, thus avoiding skull incisions. Patient's typically experience fewer complications, decreased pain, and leave the hospital quicker with the use of these techniques.
ABOUT SSL CERTIFICATES |