Multicystic encephalomalacia in term infants

The terms “multicystic encephalomalacia” and “subcortical leucomalacia” (SCL) are used to describe the presence of areas of necrosis that develop into cystic lesions inside the brain. These lesions are generally due to severe asphyxia and/or hypotension. The designation SCL can also be used to describe the extent and the seat of the lesion in the brain or to distinguish subcortical lesions from periventricular and/or combined ones. In this study we give an account of our experience with eight newborns admitted to our neonatal intensive care unit, who presented clinical-neurological alterations and encephalomalacic lesions whose presence was documented by ultrasonography.