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Review
. 2011 May 6;1(2):e29.
doi: 10.4081/cp.2011.e29. eCollection 2011 May 16.

A case of idiopathic encephalomeningocele

Athanasios K Petridis  1 , Alexandros Doukas  1 , Hubertus M Mehdorn  1
Affiliations
Review

A case of idiopathic encephalomeningocele

Athanasios K Petridis et al. Clin Pract. .

Abstract

In the present case we report about an encephalomeningocele in an adult female. Since the cause of this medical entity is a congenital fusion defect of the neural tube of the cranial base, most of the encephaloceles occurs in children leading to facial disfigurement. In the rare cases described in adults, rhinorrhea is usually present. Here we present a case of temporobasal encephalomeningocele in a 72-year-old female patient suffering from headaches in the last 4-5 years. No rhinorrhea or other significant neurological symptoms were noticed. No congenital cause was apparent. After diagnostic steps including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), cranial computed tomography (CT) and MR cisternography, an encephalomeningocele was diagnosed. Through a pterional approach this was completely removed. The only symptom the patient complaint about, headache, was eliminated after surgery.

Keywords: congenital defect; headache.; neurosurgical removal; temporobasal encephalomeningocele.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
(A) The coronal section of the magnetic resonance imaging shows the penetration and the size of the cele (left) which is shown more clearly in the sagittal section (right) as well as in the magnified image. The arrows show the inferior limit and the asterisk the penetration area through the bone. On the right side there are 2 axial T2 magnetic resonance imaging sections. (B) These intra-operative images show the encephalocele penetrating the scull base. The cele is multi-chambered and after opening, cerebrospinal fluid was contained in it. The arrow shows the penetrated bone. (C) After the cele has been removed abdominal fat was used to fill the area. (D) Postoperative sagittal and coronar section of the brain. The cele is completely removed and the defect is filled with fat. (E) Thin sliced computed tomography of the cranium. The arrow shows the location of the encephalocele with marked bone destruction.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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