The Security Forces Hospital in Riyadh succeeded in diagnosing and treating a case of a neonate with a massive occipital encephalocele exceeding 10 centimeters in diameter, a condition considered among the rare and complex congenital malformations of the nervous system.

The condition was diagnosed prenatally in high-risk pregnancy clinics using advanced ultrasound and fetal magnetic resonance imaging, which revealed the presence of brain tissue and major blood vessels inside the encephalocele, necessitating the preparation of an integrated treatment plan involving the departments of obstetrics and gynecology, neurosurgery, neonatal intensive care, and social services.

The mother underwent a safe cesarean delivery, after which the neonate was transferred to the intensive care unit following completion of medical evaluation and discussion of the treatment plan with his family. He successfully underwent surgery to repair the encephalocele, followed by a procedure to drain cerebrospinal fluid to treat hydrocephalus, with no significant complications.

The newborn left the neonatal intensive care unit after about a month and a half, in stable health with positive indicators for neurological growth and development. This achievement reflects the integration of medical specialties and advanced capabilities within the Medical Services of the Ministry of Interior, enhancing the quality of healthcare and patient safety.