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Dr. Andrew Rynne
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Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Does Encephalomalacia In Ct Scan Suggest?

my husband had a left temporal-parietal craniotomy for a melanoma tumor and the results of the ct shows there is negative mass effect possibly suggesting underlying encephalomalacia. what is this and what are some of the side effects it has on the body?
Tue, 9 Dec 2014
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Radiologist,  's  Response
Hi,
Thanks for writing in.

Encephalomalacia is the softening or loss of brain tissue after surgery for removal of the melanoma tumor. It is not a concern and is applied to a condition where there is loss of brain tissue in the region after surgery. This is a benign finding and not a serious concern. Since the brain is surrounded with fluid and after surgery there is a free space created in the brain, it occupies the healing areas. As there is shrinkage of brain, there will be what has been described as negative mass effect. Please do not worry about it.

Since this is one of the expected findings after surgery, it cannot be called as a side effect.
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What Does Encephalomalacia In Ct Scan Suggest?

Hi, Thanks for writing in. Encephalomalacia is the softening or loss of brain tissue after surgery for removal of the melanoma tumor. It is not a concern and is applied to a condition where there is loss of brain tissue in the region after surgery. This is a benign finding and not a serious concern. Since the brain is surrounded with fluid and after surgery there is a free space created in the brain, it occupies the healing areas. As there is shrinkage of brain, there will be what has been described as negative mass effect. Please do not worry about it. Since this is one of the expected findings after surgery, it cannot be called as a side effect.