85 years old. Diagnosed encephalomalacia. Histroy of brain damage. Recommendations?
Patient: My sister suffered severe brain damage at age 26 ( major car wreck, head crushed, lost one eye and has a steel plate in her head and in a coma for 3 and 1/2 months and was not supposed to live.) and now is 85 yrs old. Her Dr's report says there is a very large area of encephalomalacia occupying most of the left hemisphere in the distributions of the left ACA AND MCA. A smaller area of encephalomalacia is present within the superior right frontal lobe.Healed right frontal craniotomy defect is present. I am and have been caring for her for years, she is very high maintenance. What does this all mean as for as brain damage?Her memory is fair; however, her logic is very poor to non existent. Doctor: Hi,  Encephalomalacia refers to loss of normal brain tissue which is replaced by scar tissue which does not do the function of brain cells. Brain cells once dead do not normally regenerate and usually when one area of the brain is damaged, over a period of time the adjacent parts of the brain take over the functions lost.   However, in your sister's case, the loss of brain tissue is very severe and one half of the brain has already nearly lost complete function. The other half is also affected. Overall, it is unlikely that her mental functions would improve a great deal at her age.   Sincerely, Vamshi