INTRANASAL (SPHENOPHARYNGEAL) ENCEPHALOCELE: A Report of a Case with Intracranial Repair and a Review of the Subject

Abstract

CONGENITAL protrusion of the brain or the meninges through the skull is most commonly designated as hernia of the brain. This appellation is somewhat confusing, because it suggests the much more common extrusion of brain which may follow gunshot wound of the skull or various cranial operations, and for this reason many authors prefer the term "encephalocele." This designation is not entirely accurate, since the protruding mass may consist only of meninges (meningocele), but as a rule neuroglial as well as meningeal tissue can be identified in the sac, justifying the term "encephalocele" or the more unwieldly designation "encephalomeningocele."¹ These herniations are considered to be brought about by faulty development of the fetal skull, protrusion occurring through a cleft between the skull bones or through a bony defect resulting from incomplete ossification. The commonest site for such dehiscence or mal-development is the midline of the occiput and, much less commonly,