Associated Conditions & Findings

Cortical dysplasia

Cortical dysplasia is abnormal development of the brain's cortex that can affect function and contribute to seizures.

In short: Cortical dysplasia

  • It can accompany encephalocele.
  • It can contribute to seizures.
  • It is a malformation of the brain's surface layer.
  • It is identified on brain imaging.

What it is

It is abnormal development of the cerebral cortex, the brain's outer processing layer. It is a type of malformation of cortical development.

Understanding Cortical dysplasia

When it accompanies encephalocele, cortical dysplasia can affect development and contribute to seizures, which is why brain imaging examines the cortex closely. Because abnormal cortical development can be a source of seizures, identifying it helps the team anticipate and manage seizure risk.

Why it matters

Understanding cortical dysplasia helps families see why imaging looks beyond the encephalocele sac at the brain's surface, since cortical malformations can affect development and seizures.

Common questions

What is cortical dysplasia?

Abnormal development of the brain's cortex.

Can it cause seizures?

It can contribute to seizures.

How is it found?

On brain imaging.

Bottom line

Cortical dysplasia is abnormal cortex development that can accompany encephalocele and contribute to seizures.

Browse all 265 Encephalocele definitions

Read the Encephalocele patient guides

Not sure which page you need? Put words to it with the symptom navigator

What AURORA is building for Encephalocele