ABSTRACT
Objects: Progressive skin necrosis of giant occipital encephalocoele is an extremely rare
complication found in neonates. infection and ulceration of the necrosed skin may
lead to meningitis or sepsis. we present here a neonate with giant occipital encephalocoele
showing progressive necrosis during the first day of his life. Methods: a newborn baby was found to have a huge mass in the occipital region, which was
covered by normal pink-purplish skin. during the last hours of the first day of his
life, the sac started becoming ulcerated accompanied with a rapid color change in
the skin, gradually turning darker and then black. the neonate was taken up for urgent
excision and repair of the encephalocele. two years after the operation, he appears
to be well-developed without any neurological problems.Conclusion: necrosis may have resulted from arterial or venous compromise caused by torsion
of the pedicle during delivery or after birth. the high pressure inside the sac associated
with the thin skin of the encephalocoele may be another predisposing factor. in view
of the risk of ulceration and subsequent infection, urgent surgery of the necrotizing
encephalocele is suggested.
KEYWORDS
Necrosis - occipital encephalocele - torsion
