Sphenoid encephaloceles: disease management and identification of lesions within the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus.

Abstract

Encephaloceles usually involve herniation of frontal lobe tissue through an anterior cranial fossa defect into the ethmoid sinus or nasal cavity. Encephaloceles can also result from temporal lobe herniation through a middle fossa defect into the sphenoid sinus. Within the sphenoid, encephaloceles are thought to occur most commonly in the central or midline aspect of the sinus. Lateral sphenoid encephaloceles, especially within the lateral aspect of the sphenoid sinus when the sphenoid sinus has pneumatized extensively into the pterygoid recess, are considered exceedingly rare. The objectives of the study were to review our experience with sphenoid encephaloceles to understand the relative frequency and the locations in which they occur within the sphenoid sinus and to report our experience in caring for patients with this condition.