Porencephaly

Porencephaly is an extremely rare disorder of the central nervous system in which cysts or cavities are found within a cerebral hemisphere. The physician Heschl coined the term in 1859 to describe a cavity in the human brain, and it derives from Greek roots meaning holes in the brain. The cavities most often follow destructive processes such as disrupted blood circulation, hemorrhage or inflammation, though abnormal development can also produce them. Effects range widely: some people have only minor neurological problems with intelligence intact, while others have epileptic seizures, developmental delay or severe disability. It is far more common in infants and can arise before or after birth. The atlas records the condition and its history as a description of the disorder, not as medical advice.