Types of Encephalocele by Location
Sphenoethmoidal encephalocele
A sphenoethmoidal encephalocele is a basal encephalocele involving both the sphenoid and ethmoid regions of the skull base.
In short: Sphenoethmoidal encephalocele
- It spans both the sphenoid and ethmoid areas.
- It is a basal, internally protruding type.
- It is defined and planned with imaging.
- It may be approached endoscopically depending on anatomy.
What it is
It is a basal encephalocele crossing both the sphenoid and ethmoid regions of the skull base. Its broader involvement spans the areas of two adjacent skull-base bones.
Understanding Sphenoethmoidal encephalocele
Its broader skull-base involvement means careful imaging and surgical planning, often with an endoscopic approach depending on the anatomy. Because it touches the regions of both the sphenoid (near the pituitary) and the ethmoid (near the nose and smell nerves), planning accounts for the structures of both areas. As with other basal types, imaging precedes any procedure.
Why it matters
Understanding that a sphenoethmoidal encephalocele spans two skull-base regions helps families grasp why planning is detailed and why a combined ENT-neurosurgery team is often involved.
Common questions
What regions does it involve?
Both the sphenoid and ethmoid.
Is it visible?
Usually not — it is a basal type.
How is it approached?
Often endoscopically, depending on the anatomy.
Bottom line
A sphenoethmoidal encephalocele spans the sphenoid and ethmoid regions of the skull base.
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