What Is an Encephalocele? Fixing Gaps in the Skull Base
An encephalocele is a structural defect in which brain tissue, protective meninges, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) herniate through an abnormal opening in the skull. While encephaloceles can present in infants as congenital conditions, adults can also develop skull base encephaloceles later in life. In adult patients, these bony gaps form along the thin, delicate floor of the frontal sinus, ethmoid sinus, sphenoid sinus, or cribriform plate—the thin bone partition separating the brain cavity from the nasal passage.
Primary Causes of Adult Skull Base Encephaloceles
Adult skull base defects and encephaloceles generally develop through three main mechanisms:
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Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH): Chronically elevated pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid inside the skull continuously presses against thin bony structures of the skull base. Over time, this pressure erodes localized bone, allowing meninges and brain tissue to push outward into the sinus cavity.
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Trauma or Prior Surgery: Unintentional damage from facial trauma, skull base fractures, or prior endoscopic sinus procedures that weakens the bony boundary separating the brain from the nose.
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Congenital Focal Weakness: Tiny anatomical bone gaps present since birth that gradually expand under normal fluid pressure over decades.
Recognized Symptoms and Serious Health Risks
Because a skull base encephalocele creates a direct connection between the sterile intracranial cavity and the unsterile nasal environment, it presents distinct health hazards:
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Clear, Watery CSF Rhinorrhea: A continuous or intermittent drip of clear, watery fluid from one nostril, which typically increases when leaning forward, straining, or exercising. Patients often describe a salty or metallic taste in the back of the throat.
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Recurrent Bacterial Meningitis: Bacteria from the nasal passages travel upward through the open bone gap into the brain lining, causing recurrent, severe central nervous system infections.
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Nasal Obstruction and Pressure: Feeling a sense of fullness in the forehead or nasal cavity as the herniated tissue expands into the sinus passage.
Minimally Invasive Endoscopic Repair
Repairing an adult skull base encephalocele no longer requires an open craniotomy or lifting the brain. Utilizing an Endoscopic Endonasal Approach, neurosurgeons navigate through the natural nasal passages to repair the defect from below:
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The herniated, non-functional tissue is safely reduced or cauterized.
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The bone defect is sealed using a multi-layered reconstruction technique combining autologous fascia, mucosal grafts, and tissue glues.
This restores the protective barrier between the brain and nasal cavity, stopping fluid leaks and preventing future meningitis.
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Book Online: Visit igeaneuro.com to request a comprehensive diagnostic consultation with our neurosurgical team.
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Call Our Team Today: Speak directly with our dedicated patient care coordinators at (866) 467-1770.
