Evaluation of long-term results following surgical correction of frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocele

INTRODUCTION: Frontoethmoidal encephalomeningocele (FEEM) is a neural tube defect with herniation of intracranial contents through the anterior skull base at the foramen cecum. Management is surgical and aims to remove the excess meningoencephalocele tissue and perform facial reconstruction. CASE PRESENTATION: We report on two cases of FEEM that presented to our department. A diagnosis based on computed tomography scans revealed a defect in the nasoethmoidal region (case 1), and a defect was found in the nasofrontal bone (case 2). Surgery was performed using a direct incision over the lesion (case 1) and a bicoronal incision (case 2). Treatment in both cases gave a good outcome, and there was no increase in intracranial pressure and neurological deficits. DISCUSSION: The management of FEEM is surgical. Appropriate timing and careful preoperative planning minimize the risks of intraoperative and postoperative complications. Both patients underwent surgery. Different techniques were required in each case, considering a significant difference between the lesion size and the resultant craniofacial deformity. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis and treatment planning is vital to achieving the best long-term outcome for these patients. In the next stage of patient development, follow-up examination plays a vital role so that further corrective actions can provide a good prognosis.