Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41483181›Full record

ArticleChild's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery2026

Occipital encephalocele: prognostic factors of psychomotor delay and visual agnosia.

Maïla Bounemra, Khansa Abderrahmen, Abdelhafidh Slimane, Nesrine Chaouch, Ala Belhaj, Sofiane Bouali, Khalil Ghedira, Imed Ben Said, Jalel Kallel

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Article in Child's nervous system : ChNS : official journal of the International Society for Pediatric Neurosurgery, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Maïla BounemraNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia. bounemramaila@gmail.com.
Khansa AbderrahmenNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Abdelhafidh SlimaneNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Nesrine ChaouchNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Ala BelhajNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Sofiane BoualiNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Khalil GhediraNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Imed Ben SaidNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.
Jalel KallelNeurosurgery Department, Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology of Tunis, Tunis El Manar University, Tunis, Tunisia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionOccipital encephalocele is a rare neural tube defect that presents significant challenges. Despite advances in neurosurgery and prenatal imaging, it remains associated with substantial morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to define the neurodevelopmental outcomes of patients with occipital encephalocele, highlighting the incidence of psychomotor delay and visual agnosia, and identifying key prognostic factors that influence these outcomes.

methodsWe conducted a retrospective descriptive study including all patients treated for occipital encephalocele at the Mongi Ben Hmida National Institute of Neurology in Tunis over a 23-year period. Demographic, clinical, radiological, surgical, and outcome data were collected from medical records and analyzed to identify postoperative complications and prognostic indicators.

resultsA total of 40 patients were treated, with a median age at surgery of 11.8 months and a female predominance (sex ratio 0.38). Hydrocephalus was the most frequent associated anomaly (40%). Postoperative complications included meningitis (12.5%) and secondary hydrocephalus (37.5%), with a mortality rate of 10%. Psychomotor delay was observed in 67.6% of cases and visual agnosia in 10%. Univariate analysis identified preoperative hydrocephalus, herniation of functional brain tissue, and delayed surgery as significant adverse prognostic factors.

conclusionOccipital encephalocele remains a severe congenital anomaly with considerable neurodevelopmental impact. Delayed surgical intervention, the presence of herniated functional brain tissue, and postoperative hydrocephalus negatively impact outcomes. A multidisciplinary management approach and early neurodevelopmental follow-up are essential to improve long-term prognosis and quality of life for these patients.

Indexed as

AgnosiaEncephalocelePsychomotor DisordersChild, PreschoolFemaleHumansInfantMalePostoperative ComplicationsPrognosisRetrospective StudiesHydrocephalusOccipital encephalocelePrognostic factorsPsychomotor delayVisual agnosia

Identifiers

PMID41483181

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