Single stage craniofacial reconstruction for fronto-nasal encephalocele and hypertelorism in an adult.

Abstract

The fronto-nasal type of fronto-ethmoidal encephalocele is one of the more common subtype of anterior encephaloceles. We discuss different aspects and difficulties in the management of fronto-nasal encephalocele in a 30-year-old woman. Fronto-nasal encephaloceles present a difficult scenario in adults, mainly due to large gliotic herniating brain tissue, large bony and dural defect, increase in the size of paranasal sinuses, and scars from previous surgeries. However, all difficulties can be overcome after applying the principles of craniofacial reconstructions, i.e. correction of bone defect with autologus split calvarial graft, dural closure with autologous pericranial graft and correction of hypertelorism.