Colpocephaly

Colpocephaly
A brain disorder in which there is an abnormal enlargement of the occipital horns of the brain —the posterior or rear portion of the lateral ventricles (cavities or chambers) of the brain. This enlargement occurs when there is an underdevelopment or lack of thickening of the white matter in the posterior cerebrum. Colpocephaly is characterized by microcephaly (abnormally small head) and mental retardation. Other features may include motor abnormalities, muscle spasms, and seizures. The cause of colpocephaly is unknown. A disturbance occurs between the second and sixth months of pregnancy. Colpocephaly may be diagnosed late in pregnancy, although it is often misdiagnosed as hydrocephalus (excessive accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid in the brain). It may be more accurately diagnosed after birth when signs of mental retardation, microcephaly, and seizures are present. There is no definitive treatment for colpocephaly. Anticonvulsant medications can be given to prevent seizures, and doctors try to prevent contractures (shrinkage or shortening of muscles). The prognosis for individuals with colpocephaly depends on the severity of the associated conditions and the degree of abnormal brain development. Some children benefit from special education.

* * *

col·po·ceph·a·ly (kol″po-sefґə-le) enlargement of the occipital horns of the lateral ventricles, often accompanied by mental retardation, seizures, and visual disturbances that result from hypoplasia of the optic nerve.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

Игры ⚽ Поможем сделать НИР

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Colpocephaly — refers to an abnormal appearance of the brain in which there is asymmetric dilatation of its lateral ventricle occipital horns, but with normal caliber frontal horns.[1] It is typically associated with microcephaly and developmental delay.… …   Wikipedia

  • Cephalic disorder — Classification and external resources ICD 10 Q00 Q07, Q67, Q75 ICD 9 740 742 Cephalic disorders (from the …   Wikipedia

  • Anencephaly — Infobox Disease Name = Anencephaly DiseasesDB = 705 ICD10 = ICD10|Q|00|0|q|00 ICD9 = ICD9|740.0 ICDO = OMIM = 206500 MedlinePlus = eMedicineSubj = neuro eMedicineTopic = 639 MeshName = Anencephaly MeshNumber = C10.500.680.196 Anencephaly is a… …   Wikipedia

  • Pachygyria — DiseaseDisorder infobox Name = Pachygyria ICD10 = ICD10|Q|04|3|q|00 ICD9 = Pachygyria (from the Greek pachy meaning thick or fat gyri) is a congenital malformation of the cerebral hemisphere. It results in unusually thick convolutions of the… …   Wikipedia

  • Cephalic — is a term of, in, or relating to the cephalon, or head. The term is derived from the Old French word cephalique , from Latin cephalicus , and from Greek kephalikos (which comes from the word kephalē , meaning head ). cite book | title=Oxford… …   Wikipedia

  • Cephalic disorder — A congenital condition that stems from damage to, or abnormal development of, the budding nervous system. Cephalic is a term that means head or head end of the body. Congenital means the disorder is present at, and usually before, birth.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Cephaly — Familiar abbreviation of the name of one of the cephalic disorders, a series of congenital condition that stem from damage to, or abnormal development of, the budding nervous system. Cephalic is a term that means head or head end of the body.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Disorder, cephalic — A congenital condition that stems from damage to, or abnormal development of, the budding nervous system. Cephalic is a term that means head or head end of the body. Congenital means the disorder is present at, and usually before, birth.… …   Medical dictionary

  • Arnold–Chiari malformation — Arnold Chiari Classification and external resources A T1 weighted sagittal MRI scan, from a patient with an Arnold Chiari malformation, demonstrating tonsillar herniation of 7mm …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”