Encephaloceles: a review 1971-1990.

Fifty-two patients with an occipital encephalocele were managed at our institution between 1971-1990 inclusive. The case notes of fifty-one patients were available for review. Thirty-four of the patients presented in the first decade of the study. Fifty-seven per cent (29) developed hydrocephalus and 18 of these required shunting. The overall one year mortality was 23% (12) but only one patient died within the last decade. Of 23 patients followed up by postal questionnaire to general practitioners; 14 had no obvious deficit and 9 had a combination of deficits. Only one death occurred after one year of life in a child with a very severe handicap.