Manejo endoscópico del meningoencefalocele de base de cráneo anterior / Endoscopic management of anterior skull base meningoencephalocele

RESUMEN La fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo (LCR) corresponde a una comunicación anormal entre el espacio subaracnoideo y la porción neumatizada de la base de cráneo anterior en relación con las cavidades paranasales. Fístulas persistentes requieren reparación quirúrgica por el riesgo de meningitis, abscesos cerebrales y neumoencéfalo asociado. El gold standard es el abordaje extracraneal endoscópico. Uno de los principales inconvenientes es dañar estructuras intracraneanas nobles. La ayuda de tecnologías como la cirugía guiada por imágenes, contribuye a disminuir este problema. A continuación se presentan dos casos clínicos de fístula de líquido cefalorraquídeo en base de cráneo anterior, asociado a meningoencefalocele, intervenidos por cirugía endonasal guiada por imágenes.

ABSTRACT Endoscopic management of anterior skull base meningoencephalocele. The cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) is an abnormal communication between the subaracnoid space and the pneumatic portion of the anterior cranial base which is related to the paranasal cavities. The persistent leak requires surgery due to the potential complications such as meningitis, cerebral abscess or pneumoencephalus. Extracranial endoscopic approach is the gold standard procedure. One of the most important risk of the surgery is to damage noble intracranial structures. This situation can be ameliorated by using image guided surgery. We present two cases of CSF in anterior cranial base associated with meningoencephalocele that were treated in our center using nasal image guided endoscopic surgery.

Endoscopic transpterygoid approach and skull base repair after sphenoid meningoencephalocele resection. Our experience.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Cerebrospinal fluid leaks associated to meningoencephaloceles of the sphenoid lateral recess are rare entities. A congenital bony defect at this level results in the persistence of Sternberg's canal, or a lateral craniopharyngeal canal, which is supposed to be the origin of these lesions. Our objective was to show that the endoscopic transpterygoid approach is an effective technique for their treatment. METHODS: We present a series of 5 cases of meningoencephaloceles of the sphenoid lateral recess treated with endoscopic sinus surgery (4 women and one man; mean age=59, range 37-72 years). Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea was present in all of them and they all underwent a transpterygoid approach with reconstruction of the skull base. We describe the surgical technique and review the literature. RESULTS: No complications were observed during surgery or the postoperative period. After a mean follow-up of 81 months, only one recurrence was seen. CONCLUSIONS: The transpterygoid approach has proven to be effective for the treatment of meningoencephaloceles of the sphenoid lateral recess. Providing wide access to identify the defect, followed by meningoencephalocele ablation, is the key for successful surgery.

Obliteración del seno frontal para el tratamiento de fístulas de LCR y meningoencefaloceles / Frontal sinus obliteration for treatment of CSF leaks and meningoencephaloceles

El tratamiento endoscópico de las fístulas de LCR se ha convertido en el gold standard. No obstante, aquellas localizadas en seno frontal presentan serias dificultades para su abordaje endoscópico, especialmente si se asocia la existencia de un meningoencefalocele. En estos casos se debe valorar el abordaje externo con obliteración del seno frontal. Presentamos dos casos de fístulas de LCR cuyo origen fue debido a sendos meningoencefaloceles protruyendo a través de la pared posterior del seno frontal y que precisaron de un abordaje externo para su tratamiento.

Endoscopic treatment of CSF leak is the Gold Standard. Nevertheless, at frontal sinus it is very difficult the endoscopic approach, especially if there is a meningoencephalocele associated. In these cases, an external approach with frontal sinus obliteration should be considered. We present two cases of CSF leaks whose origin are meningoencephaloceles that protrude from posterior frontal sinus wall, treated with an external approach.

Encefalocele Frontoetmoideo-nasoorbitario criterios para manejo quirúrgico A propósito de un caso / Frontoethmoid-nasoorbital encephalocele criteria for surgical management About a case

Los meningoencefaloceles son molformaciones congénitas, con una alta incidencia en la selva amazónica ecuatoriana. La variedad fronto-etmoidal es la más común y requiere tratamiento quirúrgico temprano. Los autores combinan un abordaje neuroquirúrgico y craneofacial realizado en un solo tiempo para corregir este tipo de defecto.

Meningoencephaloceles are congenital molformations, with a high incidence in the Ecuadorian Amazon jungle. The fronto-ethmoidal variety is the most common and requires early surgical treatment. The authors combine a neurosurgical and craniofacial approach performed in a single time to correct this type of defect.