Case Report: A Complex Multidisciplinary Surgical Approach for a Pediatric Patient With Congenital Meningoencephalocele

Congenital meningoencephalocele is a rare condition where brain tissue and meninges protrude through a skull defect, often requiring complex surgical management. The authors report the case of a 14-year-old female with a frontoethmoidal meningoencephalocele, presenting with a progressively enlarging nasal mass since birth. Preoperative imaging revealed significant cranial base defects and brain herniation. A multidisciplinary team, including plastic surgery, neurosurgery, and otolaryngology, decided on a combined intracranial and extracranial approach. The surgery involved resection of the encephalocele, dura repair, and reconstruction of the cranial base using autologous bone grafts. Endoscopic techniques were used to create a drainage channel to manage the large bony cavity. Prophylactic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage was used to prevent CSF leakage. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, with no signs of infection or CSF leakage. Follow-up imaging showed proper cranial repair, and the patient had excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes. This case highlights the value of a multidisciplinary approach and advanced surgical techniques in managing rare and complex craniofacial anomalies.