A Giant Basal Meningoencephalocele Repair in a Neonate: A Case Report

Primary encephaloceles are congenital mesodermal defects that result in brain tissue protruding through the skull. These defects most commonly occur occipitally but can be present anywhere in the calvarium. Meningoencephaloceles are a subclassification that includes herniation of the meninges. Basal meningoencephaloceles with cleft palate defects are the rarest form, with very few reports discussing anesthetic implications. We report a case of a giant basal meningoencephalocele that involves the nasal and oral cavities with a risk of thecal sac rupture.