What it means
The name literally means brain softening. In reports it describes brain tissue that was lost and cleared away after an injury. The space it leaves fills with brain fluid, so the area looks like fluid on CT and MRI. The nearest fluid chamber may widen toward it. A rim of scar tissue (gliosis) often surrounds it.
When it matters
Encephalomalacia is the end result of a past event, so it is not a new problem in itself. It mainly tells doctors what happened before, and it usually looks the same on later scans. Depending on its size and location, it may match lasting effects such as weakness or speech difficulty. Areas near the brain surface can sometimes be a source of seizures.
Questions to ask your doctor
- What earlier event most likely caused this tissue loss?
- Does its location match any symptoms I have now?
- Is it unchanged compared with my previous scans?
