Frontal Meningoencephalocele With Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Public Health

Background:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are a major public health issue with immediate effects.
• Delayed complications, though less common, can arise years after the initial trauma.
• Rarely, TBIs may be linked to congenital neural tube defects like encephaloceles.

Observation:

• A 45-year-old male with a history of TBIs presented with a frontal meningoencephalocele.
• The meningoencephalocele was associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea.
• This indicates a potential delayed consequence of prior head trauma.

Findings:

• The case demonstrates a rare instance of posttraumatic frontal meningoencephalocele.
• Cerebrospinal fluid leak (rhinorrhea) was a key clinical sign.
• The development occurred years after the initial traumatic brain injuries.

Implications:

• Highlights the necessity of long-term vigilance for delayed TBI complications.
• Suggests a potential link between head trauma and later-onset neural tube defects.
• Emphasizes early diagnosis and intervention for improved patient outcomes in TBI survivors.