Sporadic porencephaly is a rare brain disorder causing fluid-filled cysts or cavities on the brain's surface. It can be caused by infection, trauma, or maternal illness/drug use during pregnancy. Symptoms vary depending on cyst size and location but may include developmental delays, seizures, and abnormal head size. Diagnosis is made through ultrasound, CT scan, or MRI. Treatment focuses on individual symptoms and may include therapy, medication, and surgery to drain fluid from the skull. Early intervention aims to help those affected reach their full potential.

1. Sporadic Porencephaly

2. Introduction of Sporadic Porencephaly
Sporadic porencephaly is a rare disorder affecting the central nervous system. In porencephaly cysts
or cavities form on the surface of the brain. These cysts or cavities may become filled with
cerebrospinal fluid, a colourless fluid that normally surrounds the brain and spinal cord to provide
protection and nourishment. The severity and associated symptoms of porencephaly vary
dramatically from one person to another based upon the size and exact locations of the fluid-filled
cavities or cysts.
Porencephaly may be classified as sporadic or familial. Sporadic porencephaly can have many
different causes including infection just before or just after birth (perinatal infection), trauma,
maternal disease or sickness, maternal diabetes, or maternal use of alcohol or drugs such as cocaine
during pregnancy.

3. Causes of Sporadic Porencephaly
Sporadic porencephaly is caused by damage to the cerebral hemispheres of the brain, which results
in the formation of fluid-filled cavities or cysts on the surface of the brain. Researchers believe that
the damage or loss of brain tissue that characterizes porencephaly results from infection
interrupted or obstructed blood flow (ischemia) to the brain, or bleeding (haemorrhaging) in the
brain.
A variety of different conditions can potentially cause the localized brain tissue degeneration that
ultimately leads to sporadic porencephaly. Such conditions include infection just before or shortly
after birth (perinatal infection), too little oxygen in the body just before or shortly after birth
(perinatal asphyxia), birth trauma, drug or alcohol use by the mother during pregnancy, maternal
sickness or infection, maternal diabetes, or injury or trauma (particularly to the abdominal area) to
the mother during pregnancy.

4. Symptoms of Sporadic Porencephaly
The symptoms and severity of sporadic porencephaly vary greatly from one individual to another
based on the size and exact location of the fluid-filled cyst or cavity. Some individuals may only
have minor physical complications and intelligence may be unaffected others can have severe,
disabling complications.
Possible symptoms include delays in growth and development, diminished muscle tone
(hypotonia), seizures, and microcephaly or macrocephaly, conditions in which head circumference
is either smaller (micro) or larger (macro) than would be expected in a child based upon age and
weight.

5. Diagnoses of Sporadic Porencephaly
A diagnosis of sporadic porencephaly can be made before or after birth through a variety of
specialized imaging tests such as an ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) scan, or magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI). During an ultrasound, reflected sound waves are used to make an image of
the developing foetus. During CT scanning, a computer and x-rays are used to create a film showing
cross-sectional images of certain tissue structures. An MRI uses a magnetic field and radio waves to
produce cross-sectional images of particular organs and bodily tissues.

6. Treatments of Sporadic Porencephaly
The treatment of sporadic porencephaly is geared toward the specific symptoms that are present in
each individual. Treatment may include physical therapy, speech therapy, anti-convulsant
medications for seizures, and a shunt to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess fluid from the skull.
Early intervention is important in ensuring that children with sporadic porencephaly reach their
highest potential. Services that may be beneficial for some affected individuals include medical,
social or vocational services such as special remedial education.

7. Treatments of Sporadic Porencephaly
The treatment of sporadic porencephaly is geared toward the specific symptoms that are present in
each individual. Treatment may include physical therapy, speech therapy, anti-convulsant
medications for seizures, and a shunt to treat hydrocephalus by draining excess fluid from the skull.
Early intervention is important in ensuring that children with sporadic porencephaly reach their
highest potential. Services that may be beneficial for some affected individuals include medical,
social or vocational services such as special remedial education.