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Anterior Skull Base Pseudomeningoceles: A Scoping Review of Skull Base Pseudomeningoceles
Haifa Alsheikh1, Kholoud Alamari2, Zahra Alshurafa1
1College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Objectives:
The main sites, clinical symptoms, and causal elements linked with pseudomeningoceles at the cranial base are sought by this thorough study. Apart from organizing present data to support therapeutic decision-making, it aims to evaluate diagnostic techniques and the appropriate course of action.
Methods:
Using the terms "skull base" AND/OR "pseudomeningocele," a thorough search was done in the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Cochrane databases. Articles offering explicit data on the localization and management of pseudomeningocele published in English, French, or Spanish were taken into consideration. Review papers, case studies, and case reports were taken into consideration; reviews, conference abstracts, and papers lacking enough or inaccessible data were turned away. Data gathered covered demographics, location, cause, presentation, diagnosis tools, management strategies, and results.
Results:
Twenty 29-person trials were examined. The primary location of pseudomeningocele development was the sphenoid bone (31%), followed by the posterior cerebral fossa (44.8%). At 42.9%, the main etiology was iatrogenic; traumatic reasons came second at 34.5%. Mostly post-surgical, these factors were blamed. Magnetic resonance imaging was the main imaging modality in 79.3% of cases; computed tomography was used in 62.1% of those cases. Though for most individuals, surgical intervention proved to be the definitive cure, initial conservative treatment was tried. There was limited follow-up data; most patients showed neither morbidity nor mortality. Mostly, preventing problems depends on fast diagnosis and suitable intervention.
Conclusion:
Skull base pseudomeningoceles are rare events that are sometimes missed due to their uncertain appearance and diagnostic difficulties. This study emphasizes how important quick imaging and improved clinical awareness are to guide management decisions. Although traditional methods are usually used, in complicated or unresolved cases, surgical intervention is usually justified. These findings highlight the need for raising awareness and thorough documentation in order to enhance the results for the impacted individuals.
