Meningoencephalocele: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Harsha Moole, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 2, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Meningoencephalocele?
A neurosurgeon usually treats a meningoencephalocele. Babies are often cared for by a team that may include a neurosurgeon, a plastic surgeon, and a geneticist. A primary care doctor helps coordinate care. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is a meningoencephalocele?
A meningoencephalocele is a rare birth defect. Part of the covering of the brain, brain tissue, or both push out through an opening in the skull. The sac that forms may be seen or felt as a soft bulge. It appears most often on the head, face, or at the base of the skull. Surgery is usually needed to place the tissue back inside and close the opening.
In a meningoencephalocele, a gap in the skull lets a sac slip through. The sac can contain cerebrospinal fluid, the meninges, and sometimes brain tissue itself. When it holds brain tissue it is called a meningoencephalocele; when it holds only fluid and covering layers, a meningocele. These are neural tube defects.
Symptoms
The most visible sign is a soft bulge covered by skin, often near the midline of the head. Some encephaloceles inside the nose are not visible and may cause problems only when they block breathing or lead to repeated meningitis. Other symptoms depend on size and location.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors do not know every cause. The condition happens early in pregnancy, when the neural tube fails to close. Genetics may play a role, and low folate may increase the chance of neural tube defects.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors often find a visible encephalocele during a newborn exam. An MRI shows how much brain tissue is inside the sac, while a CT scan shows the opening in the skull. Prenatal ultrasound can sometimes spot it during pregnancy.
Treatment
Treatment is surgery to return the sac contents into the skull and close the opening. Timing depends on the size and location of the defect. Many children need follow-up care from several specialists.
When to see a doctor
Parents should have any unexplained bulge on a baby's head or face checked right away. A child with clear fluid dripping from the nose after a head injury, or with repeated meningitis, should be seen quickly. Seek urgent care for fever, stiff neck, or unusual sleepiness.
Common questions
Can a meningoencephalocele be prevented?
Not every case can be prevented. Getting enough folate before and during early pregnancy lowers the chance of neural tube defects in general. Women who may become pregnant can ask their doctor about folate.
Will a child with this condition live a normal life?
Outcomes differ a lot from child to child. Some children do very well after surgery. Others have lasting challenges with development or other health problems. The child's doctors can give a picture based on the specific case.
Can an encephalocele be hidden inside the nose?
Yes. Some encephaloceles grow into the nasal passages and cause no visible bulge. Doctors may suspect one when a child has constant clear fluid from one nostril or repeated brain infections.
How does a direct primary care or concierge doctor fit in?
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance. A concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either one can manage a child's general health, track growth and development, and coordinate visits with specialists. Surgery and specialist treatment for the encephalocele itself would be referred to a neurosurgeon and the rest of the care team.
Sources
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Isolated encephalocele
- NIH Genetic and Rare Diseases Information Center - Meningoencephalocele
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
