Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea due to Transethmoidal Encephalocele Following Occipital Meningioma Resection in an Adult: A Case Report

Abstract

Transethmoidal encephalocele is a rare condition in adult patients. It is usually diagnosed during childhood by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, meningitis, a nasal mass, or seizures. We present a case of an adult woman with CSF rhinorrhea following resection of an occipital meningioma. The cribriform plate defect containing the encephalocele was diagnosed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging. Transcranial surgery using a patch was performed successfully. We also discuss the possible pathophysiologic mechanisms of encephalocele and treatment options.

Interictal 18F- FDG PET/computed tomography brain in a case of frontoethmoidal encephalocele

“…[ 4 ] Encephaloceles can present as cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, otorrhea, recurrent meningitis, and drug-resistant epilepsy. [ 5 6 ] Long-standing mechanical traction from the herniated cerebral cortex causes chronic inflammation and gliosis in the surrounding neural parenchyma, leading to sensorimotor disturbances, as well as partial epilepsy from the involved cortex as seen in our case. [ 7 ] Further, histopathological examination of epileptogenic zone in few reported cases with acquired encephalocele showed areas of gliosis rather than frank dysplasia, likely due to irritative traction from prolapsed brain tissue.…”