Abstract
Techniques of endoscopic endonasal surgery, initially developed primarily for intracranial
neoplasms, have been adapted to treat a wide variety of pathologies previously addressed
with open craniotomy including congenital and acquired defects of the anterior skull
base. Congenital defects can lead to herniation of leptomeninges containing cerebrospinal
fluid alone or with brain tissue. Specific types of encephalocele can be defined on
the basis of the associated abnormal bony anatomy. Endoscopic endonasal surgery represents
a relatively recent development in the treatment of these entities. Technical considerations
include relatively younger age range of the patient population, dimensions of preexisting
bony defect, volume of herniated meninges and brain tissue, and distorted anatomy
from abnormal development of the affected craniofacial skeleton. Recent highly detailed
anatomical studies have quantitatively verified the utility of endoscopic endonasal
surgery in the pediatric population. Particular attention has been directed toward
adequacy of nasoseptal flap reconstruction in pediatric patients. Several reports
have described patients with encephalocele of the anterior cranial fossa successfully
treated with endoscopic surgery. The literature on endoscopic repair of congenital
encephalocele is reviewed. Outcomes have generally been reported as favorable, although
long-term follow-up and systematic studies have not been pursued.
Keywords
encephalocele - endoscopic surgery - endonasal surgery