encephalomalacia
Pronunciation: en-SEF-ah-low-mah-LAY-see-ah
Softening of brain tissue, typically resulting from ischemia, infection, or other pathological processes.
Full Definition
Encephalomalacia refers to the softening and degeneration of brain tissue that occurs following injury, ischemia, infection, or other pathological processes. This condition represents the end stage of various brain injuries where normal tissue architecture is replaced by necrotic or gliotic tissue. Neuroimaging typically reveals areas of increased signal on T2-weighted MRI sequences corresponding to tissue loss and fluid accumulation. The condition can be focal (affecting specific brain regions) or multifocal (involving multiple areas). Medical editors encounter this term in neuroimaging reports, neuropathology descriptions, and chronic neurological condition documentation. Encephalomalacia may result from stroke, trauma, hypoxic-ischemic injury, or inflammatory processes. The location and extent of encephalomalacia often correlate with specific neurological deficits and functional outcomes.
Usage
Usage note: Indicates tissue damage and loss; often seen in chronic neurological conditions.
In Context
- "MRI demonstrated extensive encephalomalacia in the right middle cerebral artery territory." — Neuroradiology report
- "Post-traumatic encephalomalacia was evident in the frontal lobes bilaterally." — Follow-up neuroimaging interpretation