Transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele in adults.
BACKGROUND
Transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele is a rare congenital anomaly, reported only in 14 adult patients. It may be subdivided into intrasphenoidal, extending into the sphenoid sinus, and true transsphenoidal, traversing the floor of the sinus and protruding into the nasal cavity or nasopharynx.


METHODS
We present the eighth case of true transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele reported in an adult. We review the literature and highlight the differences in clinical presentation and therapeutic management between patients with intrasphenoidal and true transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele.


CONCLUSIONS
Adult patients with intrasphenoidal meningoencephalocele often present with rhinorrhea and should be considered for transsphenoidal repair, whereas patients with true transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele should not undergo surgery, in view of the complex anatomy and the slow progression of symptoms.
Jabre
A
A
Department of Neurosurgery, Boston University and Boston Veterans Administration Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
Tabaddor
R
R
Samaraweera
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004677:Encephalocele / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008588:Meningocele / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013101:Sphenoid Sinus / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000473:pathology; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed