BACKGROUND: Spontaneous, idiopathic nasal meningoencephaloceles are herniations of @entity2443 /dura and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through anatomically fragile sites within the skull base. @entity4776 occurs when intracranial contents herniate through the sellar diaphragm filling the sella turcica with CSF and giving the radiographic appearance of an @entity4611 gland. The objective of this study was to examine the association between spontaneous encephaloceles/CSF leaks and @entity4776 because of their similar clinical features and potential common pathophysiology. METHODS: Retrospective. RESULTS: Sixteen @entity1 were treated for spontaneous encephaloceles between 1996 and 2001. All 16 @entity1 had associated CSF leaks. Five @entity1 had multiple simultaneous encephaloceles. Fifteen @entity1 with imaging of the sella turcica had empty (10 @entity1 ) or partially empty (5 @entity1 ) sellas. One @entity1 did not have complete imaging of the sella. Three @entity1 had lumbar punctures with measurement of CSF pressure during computed tomography cisternograms because of multiple skull base defects. Mean CSF pressure was 28.3 cm of water (range, 19-34 cm; normal, 0-15 cm). Thirteen of 16 @entity1 (81%) were @entity28 @entity1 (mean body mass index 35.9 kg/m2; normal, <25 kg/m2). Mean follow-up was 14.2 months with 100% success in closure of the defects after one procedure. CONCLUSION: Spontaneous meningoencephaloceles and CSF leaks are strongly associated with radiographic findings of an @entity4776 and suggest a common pathophysiology. The underlying condition probably represents a form of intracranial @entity101 that exerts hydrostatic pressure at anatomically weakened sites within the skull base. Otolaryngologists should be familiar with this disease entity and the implications intracranial @entity101 has on @entity1 management.

Spontaneous nasal cerebrospinal fluid leaks and XXXX : a clinical association.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['women', 'patients', 'patient'] @entity101 :: ('MESH:D006973', 'Disease') :: ['hypertension'] @entity28 :: ('MESH:D009765', 'Disease') :: ['obese'] @entity4776 :: ('MESH:D004652', 'Disease') :: ['empty sella', 'empty sella syndrome', 'Empty sella syndrome'] @entity4611 :: ('MESH:D010900', 'Disease') :: ['absent pituitary'] @entity2443 :: ('MESH:D001100', 'Disease') :: ['arachnoid']
@entity4776 :: (MESH:D004652,Disease) :: ['empty sella syndrome']
