A cephalocele is a congenital defect in which the meninges, and sometimes brain tissue itself, herniate through an abnormal opening in the skull. When only the meninges protrude, it is called a cranial meningocele; when brain tissue is also involved, it is called an encephalocele. On prenatal ultrasound, a cephalocele appears as a fluid-filled or tissue-containing sac extending outward from the fetal skull, most commonly from the occipital region at the back of the head. Early detection is important because the size of the defect, the amount of brain tissue involved, and the presence of associated anomalies all influence the prognosis and help families and medical teams plan for care after birth.
Sonography Term