Basal encephalocoele: imaging and exposing the hernia.

Basal encephalocoeles are rarely reported anomalies. Eight cases seen by one unit manifested external facial features and internal cerebral anomalies characteristic of the individual encephalocoele subgroups. CT and MR imaging delineates the anatomy of the skeletal defect and the associated cerebral abnormalities. Such imaging of cases of median cleft face syndrome may identify previously unsuspected basal encephalocoeles. Transcranial correction with increased exposure, if needed, by the technique of facial bipartition has been performed in five cases.