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MRI and CT Imaging of an Intrasphenoidal
Encephalocele: A Case Report
Kadir Agladioglu1A, Fazıl Necdet Ardic2B, Funda Tumkaya2F, Ferda Bir3E
1 Department of Radiology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
2 Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
3 Department of Pathology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey
Author’s address: Kadir Agladioglu, Department of Radiology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey,
e-mail: kadiragladi@yahoo.com
Summary
Background:
Intrasphenoidal encephalocele (ISE) is a rare clinical entity. The incidence of congenital
encephalocele is very low. Accurate diagnosis and surgical approach is of critical value.
Case Reports:
We present a case of intrasphenoidal encephalocele in a 40-year-old man. He complained of
cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and recurrent meningitis. In images of computed tomography
(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), intrasphenoidal encephalocele herniating through a
defect of the left lateral sphenoid sinus wall was determined. Incisional biopsies were taken by
endoscopic transnasal approach and histopathological examination revealed an encephalocele. In
the differential diagnosis, ISE can be taken for inflammatory or malignant sinusoidal soft tissue
masses. ISE is differentiated from other entities by demonstrating continuity with normal brain
tissue.
Conclusions:
MRI clearly demonstrates that the herniating soft tissue is isointense with brain and continuous
with brain tissue via the sphenoid sinus, thereby the treatment decision-making process is very
important.
MeSH
Keywords:
Encephalocele • Magnetic Resonance Imaging • Multidetector Computed Tomography
PDF fi le:
http://www.polradiol.com/abstract/index/idArt/890795
Received: 2014.04.02
Accepted: 2014.04.25
Published: 2014.10.13
Background
A combination of recurrent meningitis with spontane-
ous cerebro-spinal (CSF) rhinorrhea and intrasphenoidal
encephalocele without obvious causes such as trauma or
tumour is an extremely rare case [1]. The sphenoid bone
develops from the ossification of several unconnected
cartilaginous precursors; presphenoid and postsphe-
noid/basisphenoid centers (body of the sphenoid bone),
orbitosphenoids (lesser wings), and alisphenoids (greater
wings). Union of those ossified components results in for-
mation of the sphenoid bone [2]. If the posterior part of
the bony fusion of the greater wings with the bone’s body
is incomplete, a canal forms at the involved area and it
is called lateral craniopharyngeal canal. This canal was
described by Sternberg in 1888. It is a weak area of the
skull base, which may result in development of a temporal
lobe encephalocele protruding into the lateral recess of the
sphenoid sinus [3].
We reported on a case of intrasphenoidal encephalocele of
the temporal lobe through the defect of the lateral wall of
the sphenoid sinus. To the best of our knowledge, 63 cases
were reported on in English literature [4].
Case Report
We reported on a 40-year-old man with complaints of
headache and rhinorrhea, and a history of meningitis three
times in the last 4 years, as well as no history of head trau-
ma. His rhinorea was present for the last 6 months, as he
stated.
Otolaryngologic examination was normal except for rhinor-
rhea. Hemogram was normal. In order to determine the eti-
ology of CSF rhinorrhea, paranasal sinus CT was obtained
and a bone defect in the lower part of the lateral wall of
the left sphenoid sinus was determined. Moreover, poly-
poid mass with the same density as the brain tissue beside
Authors’ Contribution:
A Study Design
B Data Collection
C Statistical Analysis
D Data Interpretation
E Manuscript Preparation
F Literature Search
G Funds Collection
360
CASE REPORT
Signature: © Pol J Radiol, 2014; 79: 360-362
DOI: 10.12659/PJR.890795
the defect was seen in the left sphenoid sinus (Figure 1).
What is more, bilateral, apparent petrous apex pneuma-
tization was noticed. In order to identify the structure of
the polypoid mass in the left sphenoid sinus, brain mag-
netic resonance imaging (MRI) with contrasting agent was
obtained. In brain MRI, intrasphenoidal encephalocele was
seen (Figure 2). With those findings, the patient underwent
transnasal endoscopic surgery. Incisional biopsy was taken
from the polypoid mass in the sphenoid sinus (Figure 3).
The histological examination of the specimens taken from
the sphenoid sinus revealed glial tissue in fibrovascular
connective tissue fragments of mucosa coated by respira-
tory-type epithelium (Figure 4A). Immunohistochemical
stains for glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and S-100
confirmed the diagnosis (Figure 4B).
Discussion
Intrasphenoidal encephalocele (ISE) is a rare clinical condi-
tion. The incidence of congenital encephalocele is approxi-
mately 1 in 3000–5000 live birth [5]. ISE has an estimat-
ed incidence of 1 in 700,000 live birth [6]. A small occult
congenital dysplasia in the form of defects or clefts in the
base of the skull in the middle cranial fossa is suggested
in the etiology of ISE. These structures constituting a
weak area, under the pressure of the CSF may favor the
creation of meningoceles or encephaloceles which finally
become clinically apparent as spontaneous CSF rhinor-
rhea [7]. Incomplete posterior portion of the bony fusion
in the sphenoid sinus creates a lateral craniopharyngeal
canal (Sternberg’s canal). Sternberg’s canal is attributed
Figure 1. Coronal CT scan; sphenoid sinus in mid-level slices. Bone
defect is noticed in the inferior third of the lateral wall
of the left sphenoid sinus, and soft tissue with the same
density as the brain tissue can be noticed beside the defect
in the left sphenoid sinus. Figure 3. Endoscopic image shows left intraspheniodal encephalocele
via transsphenoidal approach. Posterior part of the middle
turbinate, posterior etmoidal cells and anterior wall of
sphenoid sinus were removed.
Figure 2. Contrast-enhanced T1W coronal (A) and axial (B) images:
herniation of the temporal lobe into the sphenoid sinus is
noticed (white arrows).
A
B
Figure 4. (A) There is a mixture of mature astrocytes and glial
fibers (star) in fibrovascular connective tissue underlying
respiratory epithelium (arrow) ×10 H&E. (B) GFAP-positive
glial tissue ×200 IHC.
A B
© Pol J Radiol, 2014; 79: 360-362 Agladioglu K. et al. – MRI and CT imaging of an intrasphenoidal encephalocele…
361
as a possible site of origin of congenital encephalocele.
Sphenoidal defects at fusion planes are more likely to be
congenital than acquired [3].
Intracranial hypertension, by means of arachnoid pits in
the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, is the major cause
of acquired spontaneous CSF leaks and lateral intrasphe-
noidal encephaloceles [8]. Intrasphenoidal encephaloce-
les that have an intact dura and no CSF leak are generally
reported during imaging studies for other causes [9].
The CSF volume is generally not affected because of inter-
mittent drainage. Recurrent menengitis may also occur due
to CSF drainage. Although there were both rhinorrhea and
recurrent meningitis in the presented case, there was no
history of trauma or tumour. We suggested that the bone
defect in the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus could be
Sternberg’s canal.
In radiological imaging of encephalocele, CT, a non-invasive
technique, shows bone structures in details and is more
precise in detecting the defect sites in the skull base. Bone
defect in the lateral wall of the left sphenoid sinus and
soft tissue beside the defect and with the same density as
the brain tissue were noticed in CT images of the present-
ed case. In the differential diagnosis of soft tissue of that
kind, inflammatory and tumoral lesions originating from
the sphenoid sinus and cerebral tissue should be considered
initially. Due to the fact that MRI is more accurate in visu-
alizing soft tissues in detail, it should be performed. In the
presented case, continuity of the cerebral tissue in the left
sphenoid sinus was noticed in MRI and it was regarded as
ISE (Figure 2A, 2B). Biopsy was carried out by transnasal
endoscopic approach and soft tissue sample was subjected
to histopathological examination. The differential diagnosis
of ISE includes nasal teratoma, glial heterotopia and also a
true glioma. ISE should be distinguish from other develop-
mental anomalies and cystic teratomas based on character-
istic clinical and radiological findings [10].
Because a persistent CSF leak may lead to meningitis or
brain abscess, it is potentially lethal. Therefore, intrasphe-
noidal encephalocele should be repaired by surgical inter-
vention. We used transnasal endoscopic approach in the
presented case. After pushing the brain tissue toward the
endocranium, temporal fascia and a free muscle graft were
inserted into the defect of the lateral wall of the left sphe-
noid sinus and then fixed with fibrin glue.
Conclusions
Intrasphenoidal encephalocele often associated with a
persistent Sternberg’s canal is a rare entity. Our patient
presented with recurrent meningitis and CSF rhinorrhea.
Malignancy, inflammatory changes and encephalocele are
taken into account in the differential diagnosis of bone
defect seen in CT. MRI examination shows cerebral tissue
that extends into the sphenoid sinus. MR examination is
extremely important in diagnosing intrasphenoidal enceph-
alocele. Knowing that the soft tissue within the sphenoid
sinus is encephalocele, allows us to change the therapeutic
approach,
Conflicts of interest
The authors declared no conflicts of interest.
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