Treatment Approach to Infant with Sepsis and Neurological Complications Resulting in Multicystic Encephalomalacia

Abstract

Background: Destructive brain lesions result from aggression to the central nervous system and can be congenital or acquired in the postnatal period. When extensive, these lesions can produce cavitations, as in multicystic encephalomalacia (MCE). The most common etiology of MCE is neonatal hypoxia and ischemia, but there are reports of cases due to viral encephalopathies and head traumas. MCE has a poor prognosis, usually resulting in severe neurological sequelas or death. This article reports a case of multicystic encephalomalacia in the Santa Casa de Misericordia de Ouro Preto-MG (Brazil) contrasting its etiology with those found in the literature as well as discussing the treatment approach to the patient.