Korean J Pathol.  1988 Jun;22(2):199-203.

Porencephaly: An Autopsy Case Report

• Kim IS
• Shon JH
• Park HS
• Chi JG

Abstract

Porencephaly is a rare congenital anomaly characterized by a cavitary hole extending from the cerebral mantle to the ventricle of the brain and covered by leptomeningeal membrane. It is now generally believed that the porencephaly represents a fetal or neonatal destructive process of the neural tissue. Authors experienced an autopsy case of bilateral porencephaly in a 35-day-old Korean male infant who died of sepsis. The brain weighed 150 gms and morphologically well formed except for two large symmetric defects at the fronto-parietal region. These defects were characterized by cleft-like shape, covering the entire cerebral mantle with resultant direct communication between ventricular cavity and leptomeninges. Thin leptomeningeal trabeculae were covering the cavity. There was a smooth transition between ependyma and roof of the defects. There are focal, microscopic cerebral infarct and abscess without connection with the cavitary lesion. The remaining central nervous system was unremarkable.

MeSH Terms

Infant
Male
Female
Infant, Newborn
Humans