Leptomeningeal Cyst

What is Leptomeningeal Cyst?

It is a rare complication that arises from a skull fracture developed during the delivery process. A linear fracture in the baby's skull results in separation of the edges and the fracture and tearing up of dura (tough membrane covering of brain). The arachnoid membranes, i.e. thin and transparent countless blood vessels of the brain, get trapped between the separated edges of the fracture and cause the formation of cyst. In such situation, the natural blood flow through those vessels can erode the bone of the skull.

If your child suffers from birth injuries caused by an undiagnosed or untreated Leptomeningeal Cyst, you may be entitled to a compensation for the damages suffered.

Call 833-200-2000 now to schedule a free consultation with the birth injury lawyers at DeFrancisco & Falgiatano.

Symptoms of Leptomeningeal Cyst

For the first few days, linear skull fractures may show no symptoms. Doctors detect this condition after parents notice a cystic mass (soft and squishy bump like a tiny water balloon) on their baby's head. Rarely doctors may confuse it with cephalohematoma, but a skull X-ray can easily show Leptomeningeal cyst.

It should be fixed by immediate surgery. If left undiagnosed or untreated, leptomeningeal cyst can cause mental retardation, seizures and hydrocephalus due to excess pressure on the brain. The treatment for leptomeningeal cyst is removing the cyst through surgery and repairing the tear of the dura mater.

Risk Factors

There are a few risk factors of labor and delivery that may result in fracture to the skull in the childbirth process:

• Birth weight more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
• Premature birth, i.e. babies delivered before 37 weeks of pregnancy are more fragile and are more prone to getting injured
• Unusual birth positioning, such as breech birth (feet first)
• Dystocia, which is a general terminology for hard labor or delivery
• Prolonged labor
• Cephalopelvic disproportion, i.e. the inadequate pelvic shape and size for a vaginal delivery

It is the duty of the medical staff to follow standard prenatal care and procedures during pregnancy, labor and delivery. Failure to detect a dangerously large baby, delaying a C-section delivery, improper management of labor, improper use of forceps or vacuum extractor or failure to determine too small pelvic size for vaginal delivery are some of the negligent acts by medical staff that can cause head trauma that may lead to the formation of leptomeningeal cyst.

Medical Malpractice Lawsuit

In order for us to be able to pursue a case, we need to prove there was a deviation from accepted medical standards that caused injury. Our firm is experienced in handling all different types of birth injury cases. We have access to independent medical experts from outside of the area who will also perform a thorough and objective review of your case to confirm if malpractice is what caused the child's injury.

If you have a question of whether medical malpractice caused a child's injury, call us or contact us online. Consultations are always free. If we are able to take your case, all legal fees are paid on a contingency fee basis so you will never owe us any legal fees unless we are able to recover compensation for you.

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