Core Terms & Classification
Encephalomeningocele
Encephalomeningocele is another name for a meningoencephalocele — a sac containing both brain tissue and meninges.
In short: Encephalomeningocele
- The two terms are fully interchangeable.
- The order of the word parts does not change the meaning.
- It indicates that brain tissue is present in the sac.
- Treatment and prognostic thinking are the same as for meningoencephalocele.
What it is
Encephalomeningocele simply emphasizes the brain ("encephalo-") and membrane ("meningo-") components together. Whether a report says "encephalomeningocele" or "meningoencephalocele," it means the same thing: the sac includes brain tissue.
Understanding Encephalomeningocele
You may see either term in different reports or from different specialists, and the variation can be confusing. The clinically important point is consistent — brain tissue is present in the protrusion, so the same careful imaging, surgical planning, and individualized outlook apply.
Why it matters
Recognizing that these are two names for one diagnosis prevents unnecessary worry that a child has two different conditions or that a diagnosis has changed. It also helps families compare records from different sources accurately.
Common questions
Why are there two names?
They are word-order variants describing the same thing.
Which term is "correct"?
Both are correct and used interchangeably in medicine.
Does the wording change the treatment?
No — the approach is the same.
Bottom line
Encephalomeningocele and meningoencephalocele are the same diagnosis — a sac with brain tissue and membranes.
Browse all 265 Encephalocele definitions
Read the Encephalocele patient guides
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