Transnasal Endoscopic Approach to Transethmoidal Meningocele

Abstract

Introduction: Extracranial herniation of the meningeal coverings, alone or accompanied by brain tissue, through a bone defect of the skull base into a cavity, is defined by the terms meningocele and encephalocele.

Objective: We set out to present a case report of ethmoidal meningocele that was diagnosed and surgically intervened using an endoscopic endonasal approach extended to the anterior cranial base.

Clinical case: A 47-year-old female patient presented with nasal obstruction and aqueous rhinorrhea for 7 months in the right nostril. Imaging studies were performed and a meningocele was diagnosed. An extended endoscopic endonasal approach was performed for resection.

Conclusions: The presentation of this clinical case allowed us to gain a deeper understanding of this disease from a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective, highlighting image-guided surgery as a highly useful tool, particularly in surgeries involving the anatomy surrounding important structures such as the orbit and skull base.