Transnasal endoscopic surgery of sphenoid meningocele associated with pituitary adenoma. A case report

Abstract

Background. Transsphenoid meningoencephalocele is a congenital anomaly formed by herniation of an ependyma delimited sac through a bony defect into the sphenoid sinus. The sac contains cerebrospinal fluid and neurovascular structures. The prevalence of transsphenoid meningoencephalocele in the adult population is rare. It usually manifests as nasal liquorrhoea. Methods and Results. This case report presents an adult male who underwent surgery due to suspected pituitary macroadenoma. The surgery was performed endoscopically via the transnasal approach with a surprising finding of true transsphenoid meningoencephalocele. Ectopic solid tissue was found in the sphenoid sinus in which pituitary adenoma was histologically confirmed. Conclusion. This paper presents a previously unpublished combination of true transsphenoid meningoencephalocele and pituitary adenoma in an adult individual.

Keywords

• transsphenoid meningoencephalocele
• pituitary adenoma
• nasal liquorrhoea
• endoscopic transnasal approach