Table 1.

Summary table of encephalocele.

Etiology	Uncertain, but proposed hypotheses include (1) mismatch between growth and posterior fossa neural structures and base of skull, (2) hydrocephalus causes deformation with entrapment, compression, and displacement of posterior fossa structures, (3) defect in neural tube closure
Prevalence	0.8 to 5 per 10,000 live births.
Gender ratio	Male and female equally affected
Age predilection	Congenital
Risk factors	Unknown, but may be associated with genetic disorders.
Treatment	Surgery
Prognosis	Depends on content and size of sac. Greater extent of herniated neural tissue and large sac are associated with poor prognosis
Findings on imaging	Herniation of brain parenchyma outside the cranium.