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Encephalocele, sometimes known by the Latin name cranium bifidum, is a neural tube defect characterized by sac-like protrusions of the brain and the membranes that cover it through openings in the skull. These defects are caused by failure of the neural tube to close completely during fetal development.[1]There have been studies and evidence linking NTD's to folic acid deficiency. The severity of encephalocele varies, depending on the location. Currently, the only effective treatments are reparative surgeries following birth. The degree to which they can be corrected varies greatly on where and how big the encephalocele is.
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In November 2006, there was an hour-long documentary on the British television network Channel 4 about Facing the World, an organization that helps children with severe facial disfigurements in developing countries. One of the children featured on the documentary was Ney, a Cambodian boy who suffered from a severe form of encephalocele, wherein part of his brain protruded through his face.
In August of 2008, Partners in Health along with surgeons in the Department of Plastic Surgery at Children's Hospital Boston brought a young boy named Dumanel Luxama from his home in Haiti to Boston for the repair of a frontal encephalocele as well as an arachnoid cyst. Dumanel and his father's trip to Boston was covered extensively by the Boston Globe, and his case was presented in a live webcast that aired on January 28th 2009. Participating in the webcast and providing expert commentary were Dr. John Meara, Plastic Surgeon-in-Chief at Children's Hospital Boston, Dr. Edward Smith, Neurosurgeon at Children's Hospital Boston, and Dr. David Walton. Dr. Walton works with Partners in Health and was part of the team that arranged for Dumanel and his father's transportation to the United States.
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