Hemimegalencephaly

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Hemimegalencephaly is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Unilateral Megalencephaly
Macrencephaly

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Hemimegalencephaly is a rare neurological condition in which one-half of the brain, or one side of the brain, is abnormally larger than the other. As a consequence of this imbalance, the unusual and enlarged brain tissue causes frequent seizures, usually followed with mental retardation. Hemimegalencephaly may occur as an isolated finding in an infant or it may be associated with other syndromes.

Surgery is often prescribed to control the seizures. If the affected side is surgically removed (hemispherectomy), the remaining healthy side of the brain may gradually take over the functions whose control has been lost. The ability for one side of the brain to take over the function of the other is known as "plasticity".

Resources

MUMS (Mothers United for Moral Support, Inc) National Parent-to-Parent Network
150 Custer Court
Green Bay, WI 54301-1243
USA
Tel: (920)336-5333
Fax: (920)339-0995
Tel: (877)336-5333
Email: mums@netnet.net
Internet: http://www.netnet.net/mums/

For a Complete Report

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 4/28/2008
Copyright 2006 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

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