Endoscopic repair of sphenoid encephalocele, secondary to persistence of Sternberg's canal

Abstract

Nasal cerebrospinal fluid leaks are caused by a nasal communication between the subarachnoid space and the aerodigestive tract. They may be acquired (secondary to trauma or iatrogenic) or spontaneous. The latter can be congenital, tumoral or idiopathic. The lateral craniopharyngeal canal or Sternberg canal is caused by the lack of fusion of the points of ossification of the sphenoid sinus during the embryonic period. This re- gion, located posterolateral to the bottom wall of the sphenoid sinus, is covered only by connective tissue, being the area of least resistance of the skull base. The persistence of this canal can cause cerebrospinal fluid leaks, especially when associated with elevated intracranial pressure and extensive pneumatization. Nasal endoscopic surgery is the technique of choice for solving these cases. This article is a review of the endoscopic surgical technique of encephaloceles se- condary to persistence of Sternberg canal, based on two clinical cases.