CSF Rhinorrhoea with Encephalocele through Sternberg’s Canal: Our Experience

Abstract

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea with encephalocele restricted to the sphenoid sinus is rare clinical finding. As of today, only 17 cases encephalocele protruding through the Sternberg’s canal and extending into the lateral recess of sphenoid sinus, have been described in literature. Patients presenting with this special clinical entity usually do not have any history of trauma, tumour or iatrogenic injury. Thus the lesions are considered to originate from a congenital bony defect in the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus, first described by Sternberg in 1888 as the lateral craniopharyngeal canal (Sternberg’s canal). In our experience each patient of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea should have suspicion of intrasphenoid encephalocele though cribriform plate is a common site. Endoscopic tranasnasal approach is one of the best modalities for such cases.