Case Report


Antenatal diagnosis and management of an encephalocele in Jamaica

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1 Obstetrician and Gynecologist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica

2 Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialist, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica

3 Neurosurgeon, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica

4 Consultant Radiologist, Department of Surgery, Radiology, Anaesthesia and Intensive Care, University Hospital of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston, Jamaica

Address correspondence to:

Tracey Martinborough

FACOG, DM (O&G), MBBS, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University Hospital of the West Indies, Kingston 7, Kingston,

Jamaica

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Article ID: 100129Z08TM2022

doi: 10.5348/100129Z08TM2022CR

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How to cite this article

Martinborough T, Hunter-Greaves T, Charles P, Johnson P, Johnson N. Antenatal diagnosis and management of an encephalocele in Jamaica. J Case Rep Images Obstet Gynecol 2022;8(2):25–29.

ABSTRACT


Introduction: Encephalocele is a rare fetal anomaly associated with neurodevelopmental morbidity, especially in developing countries where management resources are limited.

Case Report: Here, we present a case of antenatal diagnosis of an occipital encephalocele in a 25-year-old multigravida. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging were used throughout the second and third trimesters to guide delivery and plan postnatal repair. A multidisciplinary approach to care, involving maternal–fetal medicine, radiology, neonatology, and neurosurgery specialties, was undertaken from mid-gestation. This multiteam approach afforded predelivery planning that resulted in an uneventful cesarean delivery and surgical correction of the encephalocele within 24 hours of extrauterine life.

Conclusion: This case demonstrates that even in the absence of advanced resources for fetal interventions, successful outcomes can be achieved with early diagnosis, a multiteam approach to care and predelivery planning.

Keywords: Encephalocele, Jamaica, Neural tube

SUPPORTING INFORMATION


Author Contributions

Tracey Martinborough - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published

Tiffany Hunter-Greaves - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Interpretation of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published

Peter Charles - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published

Peter Johnson - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published

Nadine Johnson - Substantial contributions to conception and design, Acquisition of data, Drafting the article, Revising it critically for important intellectual content, Final approval of the version to be published

Guaranter of Submission

The corresponding author is the guarantor of submission.

Source of Support

None

Consent Statement

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this article.

Data Availability

All relevant data are within the paper and its Supporting Information files.

Conflict of Interest

Authors declare no conflict of interest.

Copyright

© 2022 Tracey Martinborough et al. This article is distributed under the terms of Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium provided the original author(s) and original publisher are properly credited. Please see the copyright policy on the journal website for more information.