Transalar sphenoidal encephaloceles: clinical and radiologic findings

Two cases of occult basal encephalocele protruding through defects in the greater wing of the sphenoid bone are presented. The cases are unique in that they occurred in adults with non-localizing symptoms and were eloquently imaged by computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR). While the theoretical existence of this type of encephalocele has been recognized, no documented cases of transalar sphenoidal encephalocele are known to have been reported in the radiology or surgery literature.