Endoscopic endonasal repair of a temporal lobe meningoencephalocele in the pterygoid fossa: A case report and literature review

Abstract

Introduction: Meningoceles are defined as herniation of the meninges through a skull base defect. If brain tissue is herniated as well, then it is called meningoencephalocele. The most common locations of meningoceles are the cribriform plate and the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus, with the most common presentation being CSF leakage. We present a case of temporal lobe meningocele that herniated through a defect in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone to the pterygoid fossa and that was diagnosed incidentally while evaluating the patient for seizures. Methodology: Case report and literature review. Conclusion: The endonasal endoscopic approach is a suitable minimally invasive approach for the management of pterygoid fossa lesions, including meningoceles. In this case, the patient had epilepsy with the surgery resulting in the resolution of the seizures.