Medical expert of the article
New publications
Encephalocele
Last reviewed: 04.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
Encephalocele is a herniated protrusion of intracranial contents through a congenital defect of the skull base. Meningocele contains only dura mater, whereas meningoencephalocele also contains brain tissue. Orbital encephalocele may be: anterior (frontal-ethmoidal), posterior (associated with dysplasia of the sphenoid bone).
[ Symptoms of encephalocele
Encephalocele usually appears in early childhood.
An anterior encephalocele is located in the superomedial quadrant of the orbit and displaces the eyeball forward and outward. A posterior encephalocele displaces the eyeball forward and downward.
The cyst increases in size with physical exertion and crying and can decrease when pressing on it with your hand.
Pulsating exophthalmos may be due to communication with the subarachnoid space, but due to its non-vascular nature it is never accompanied by noise or tremor.
CT scan reveals a bone defect through which the protrusion occurs.
What do need to examine?
How to examine?
Differential diagnosis of encephalocele
- anterior encephalocele should be differentiated from dermoid cysts and lacrimal sac cysts, which can also cause edema in the area of the internal adhesion;
- Posterior encephalocele is differentiated from orbital diseases that manifest at an early age: capillary hemangioma, juvenile xanthogranuloma, teratoma, microphthalmos with cyst.
Combinations of encephalocele:
- with other bone anomalies (hypertelorism, wide nasal bridge and cleft palate);
- with eye pathologies (microphthalmos, coloboma and morning glory syndrome);
- Neurofibromatosis type I is often associated with posterior encephalocele.