Encephaloccle

Encephaloccle (derived from the Greek encephalon, 'the brain,' and kēlē, 'a tumour') is the term applied to a tumour projecting through the skull in one of the parts where the bones are incomplete in infancy, and consisting of a protrusion of the membranes of the brain, containing a portion of brain itself. In meningoccle the membranes only project. The most common situation of such tumours is in the middle line and at the back of the head. Surgical interference is scarcely ever justifiable, and all that can usually be done is to give uniform support to the tumour, and to defend it from injury.