ABSTRACT
In a wide spectrum of cases in childhood, macrocephaly does not carry a neurological risk, although a range of possibilities will have an impact on both the evolutionary and cognitive aspects of children. The previous happens in pathologies with progressive components, such as tumors or hydrocephalus, and in those cases in which the factor of the growth of the cephalic perimeter is given by structural components of the nervous system as it happens in megalocephaly. As in all other medical acts, the careful taking of the anamnesis, the appropriate neurological examination and the valuations of the neurodevelopment items can give a thorough orientation about the etiology and importance of the problem. The help of diagnostic aids as well as images will provide the other data to define the diagnosis and propose a treatment.
Subject(s)
Hydrocephalus/diagnosis , Megalencephaly/diagnosis , Child , Diagnosis, Differential , Humans , Hydrocephalus/cerebrospinal fluid , Hydrocephalus/etiology , Hydrocephalus/therapy , Megalencephaly/cerebrospinal fluid , Megalencephaly/etiology , Megalencephaly/therapyABSTRACT
En la mayoría de los niños con macrocefalia no se encuentra una causagrave, sin embargo, deben considerarse en el diagnóstico etiológico cuadros tratables y/o progresivos como una hidrocefalia. Un análisis cuidadoso y ordenado de los datos obtenidos en anamnesis y examen físico/neurológico, y una adecuada valoración del desarrollo psicomotor permitirán definir las probables causas de la macrocefalia y exámenes complementarios, evitando realizar procedimientos innecesarios.
Although most children with macrocephaly do not have a serious cause, treatable or progressive disorders as hydrocephalus must be considered in the diagnostic workup. A careful and orderly analysis of data obtained from anamnesis and physical / neurological examination, and a proper assessment of psychomotor development will allow the definition of likely causes of macrocephaly and examinations to accomplish, avoiding performing unnecessary procedures.