Transalar transphenoidal meningoencephalocele: A rare cause of respiratory distress in a neonate

Respiratory distress in an infant is a common cause of admission in neonatal intensive care facility. Obstructive lesions of the airway constitute a minority of problems in the new born but present a diagnostic challenge. We present a 30-day-old male infant admitted with respiratory distress who was diagnosed to have an oropharyngeal cystic mass which on further evaluation by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a transalar transsphenoidal meningoencephalocele herniating into the oral cavity through a congenital split palate. The patient was operated successfully using a transpalatal approach leading to complete resolution of respiratory distress.