Spontaneous trans-sphenoidal encephalocele presenting with nontraumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea (case report)

Encephaloceles are uncommon and can arise from congenital, traumatic, or spontaneous origins. Approximately 80% of all cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrheas are caused by head injuries. Spontaneous or nontraumatic encephaloceles or cerebrospinal fluid leaks have been the least common in most series, accounting for only 3% to 5% of all cerebrospinal fluid leaks. There is a high incidence of meningitis and brain abscess. Thus, early diagnosis is very important. We present an adult patient with uncomplicated nontraumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea that was caused by spontaneous trans-sphenoidal encephalocele.