What is Cortical Dysplasia?

What is Cortical Dysplasia? Are there any physical signs of this? I know I would have to go see a doctor to find out for sure, but is there any way of at least seeing in his behavior, learning capabilities, etc that he, my son has this.

My son is 7 years old and recently in 1999 was diagnosed with a hearing loss. He has always had a learning disability, and the audiologist suspects he has auditory processing problems. Back in 1998 I thought he couldn't hear because he wasn't talking and he was age 5 and half years old so I had gotten him to a audiologist and his hearing was fine. The audiologist suspected he had what is called Central Auditory Processing, but he was too young to test him for it. So in the mean time he and I didn't mention this but he had alot of ear infections in the past and I have gone to 4 ENT's. The 3rd one I took him to removed his adnoids and also put in another set of tubes in his ears. This was the 3rd set too. Back in March of 1999 he had another hearing test done and now he has a moderate hearing loss. What is weird about it sometimes he can hear and sometimes he can't. When he is listening at 2000 decibles his range is 10. 20 to 25 is normal anything above that is reason for concern. The other ranges, 500, 1000, 200 decibles are ranging from 45 to 65.

I am trying to figure out why he suddenly lost his hearing. He has had a cat scan done to see if the ear developed right. And according to the last ENT I saw it is fine. He aslo was tested for autoimmune disorders, and they are all fine too.

I need to know what could have caused this and what also as far as treatment what I can do to help in his learning and soaking everything in. He has difficulties in comprehension, reading, the whole learning category. He is immature as far as the level he is at. I beleive he is at a 4 year old learning age but is 7 years old.

Any information you can give me, or where to go to get this information would GREATLY BE APPRECIATED!! What type of doctor would I go see? A neurologist?

I live in PA

Chris

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

Dear Chris,

Cortical Dysplasia is a neurological condition and is not within my area of expertise. You can address your question to MedHelp's Neurology Forum, and also use the SEARCH function of this Forum to see other questions and replies about this condition.