INFORMATION ON SCHIZENCEPHALY

Schizencephaly is a very rare and uncommon disorder that develops with very slow speed. The condition, in which abnormal slits and clefts found in cerebral hemispheres of brain, is known as schizencephaly disease. In other words we can say that schizencephaly is a disorder in which there is a cyst or cavity in the cerebral hemispheres. The cleft and slits becomes wide across the entire cerebral hemisphere, from the ependyma, the ventricular surface of brain to the pial surface, the periphery of the brain. Schizencephaly has two types: Closed lip or Schizencephaly I - In closed lip or Schizencephaly I, the cleft walls are in apposition. Open lip or Schizencephaly II - In open lip or Schizencephaly II, the cleft walls separated. The clefts or slits in cerebral hemispheres can be unilateral or bilateral, and can be either symmetric or asymmetric.

SYNONYMS OF SCHIZENCEPHALY

Synonyms of Schilder’s disease are:

1. Cerebrospinal fluid–filled cleft in the brain.
2. Abnormal cleft of the brain.
3. Open-lip schizencephaly.
4. Closed-lip schizencephaly.

CAUSES OF SCHIZENCEPHALY

The exact causes for Schizencephaly are unknown. Although few environmental factors may cause of schizencephaly. Schizencephaly may transfer in children through their parents’ means genetic factor May also one cause of schizencephaly. Genes of schizencephaly transfer in child during pregnancy time. Schizencephaly may happen by mutation in the EMX2 gene.

SYMPTOMS OF SCHIZENCEPHALY

Symptoms of schizencephaly will depend on severity of clefts in cerebral hemispheres. Paralysis of the limbs may be present. Abnormal muscle tone, seizures etc. may be possible.

Other symptoms of schizencephaly may include:

1. Seizures.
2. Developmental delay.
3. Delayed speech.
4. Delayed language skills.
5. Corticospinal dysfunction.
6. Mental retardation.
7. Hemiparesis.
8. Quadriparesis.

DIAGNOSIS OF SCHIZENCEPHALY

A cerebral anomaly has been detected in all cases by routine ultrasonography revealing a ventricular dilatation with cortical associated abnormalities.

Other diagnosis test includes:

1. Ultrasound.
2. Blood Test.
3. X-Rays.
4. Magnetic resonance imaging.

TREATMENT OF SCHIZENCEPHALY

There is no exact treatment for schizencephaly. In general treatment will depend on symptoms of schizencephaly. For example, in some conditions only medication is sufficient and in some cases like seizures cannot be controlled with medications may be treated by surgical removal of the abnormal tissue surrounding the cleft.