Endoscopic repair of frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks

OBJECTIVE: To describe endoscopic management of frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective. METHODS: We reviewed all frontal sinus CSF leaks treated using an endoscopic approach at our institutions from 1998 to 2003. CSF leaks originated immediately adjacent to or within the frontal recess or frontal sinus proper for inclusion in the study. Data collected included demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, site and size of skull-base defect, surgical approach, repair technique, and clinical follow up. RESULTS: Seven frontal sinus CSF leaks in six patients were repaired endoscopically. Average age of presentation was 45 years (range 25-65 years). Aetiology was idiopathic (three), congenital (one), accidental trauma (one), and surgical trauma (two). All patients presented with CSF rhinorrhea; two patients presented with meningitis. Four defects originated in the frontal recess, while two others involved the posterior table and frontal sinus outflow tract. Four patients had associated encephaloceles. We performed endoscopic repair in all six patients with one patient requiring an adjuvant osteoplastic flap without obliteration. All repairs were successful at the first attempt with a mean follow up of 13 months. All frontal sinuses remained patent on both post-operative endoscopic and radiographic exam. CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic repair of frontal sinus CSF leaks and encephaloceles can be an effective method if meticulous attention is directed toward preservation of the frontal sinus outflow tract, thus avoiding an osteoplastic flap and obliteration. The major limiting factor for an endoscopic approach is extreme extension superiorly or laterally within the posterior table beyond the reach of current instrumentation.     

Endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks

To examine the diagnosis and treatment of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea, a cohort of 36 patients treated between 1993 and 2000 were examined to consider the role of imaging and other diagnostic tests such as the presence of beta-transferrin in nasal secretion. The etiology of the condition was considered and was found to be congenital in 7 patients and acquired in 29 patients of which in 15 patients it was traumatic, in 12 patients it occurred spontaneously, and in 2 patients it was associated with Wegener's granulomatosis. Where it was possible to obtain nasal secretion, beta-transferrin proved a highly sensitive and specific test and imaging included computed tomography (CT), CT cisternography, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of which fine detail coronal CT and MRI proved the most helpful. In six patients neither imaging nor beta-transferrin could be used to confirm the diagnosis in which case intrathecal fluorescein was used. Repair was performed endoscopically in all cases with one exception where the defect was felt to be too large for this technique. Middle turbinate mucosa, cartilage, and fascia were the preferred repair materials in the anterior skull base whereas dermalfat was preferentially used in the sphenoid. The overall success rate for an endoscopic approach was 94% although in three cases a second endoscopic procedure was required to produce closure and external approaches were used in two additional patients. The use of a diagnostic algorithm is helpful in both confirming the presence of CSF rhinorrhea and the optimum approach. In the vast majority of cases an endoscopic repair will be successful and it avoids many of the complications associated with craniotomy, particularly in a young population. Therefore, it is our preferred option, although surgeons must be prepared for alternative procedures should these prove necessary.     

Endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks and cephaloceles

The excellent visualization and atraumatic surgical techniques of endoscopic sinus surgery have been applied to the management of five cerebrospinal fluid leaks and two nasal cephaloceles. In all cases, the exact site of the lesion was identified. Four cerebrospinal fluid leaks were grafted with a free or pedicled septal mucosal graft. The fifth cerebrospinal fluid leak came from a narrow sphenoethmoid recess and stopped after the mucosa was abraded. The two cephaloceles were reduced intranasally and covered with bone and mucosal grafts. Not all cases seen in the same time period were treated endoscopically; two additional cerebrospinal fluid leaks were treated with conventional techniques because of severe nasal inflammatory disease and intracranial complications. The technique and indications for endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks and cephaloceles are discussed.     

Endoscopic management of sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks

OBJECTIVES: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks that originate within the sphenoid sinus pose a unique surgical challenge due to difficulties with access and visualization The objective of this report is to illustrate concepts for the successful management of sphenoid sinus CSF leaks. METHODS: Retrospective data analysis was performed on 9 patients who presented to a tertiary care medical center for endoscopic repair of a sphenoid sinus CSF leak from January 2002 to January 2006. RESULTS: The patient cohort included 7 women and 2 men with a mean age of 51.7 years. In 5 cases the CSF leak was caused by a previous neurosurgical procedure; the other 4 cases were idiopathic. An endoscopic pterygomaxillary fossa approach was required in 4 cases. A layered reconstruction of the sphenoid sinus wall with collagen allografts (cadaveric acellular dermal allograft, 8 patients; bovine collagen membrane, 1 patient) and mucosa under endoscopic visualization with intraoperative surgical navigation was performed in all cases. The reconstruction was buttressed with autologous bone in 2 cases and with cartilage in 2 cases. Fibrin sealant was used in 7 cases. Two patients developed transient diabetes insipidus after the repair. Two patients developed a recurrent CSF leak necessitating revision repair 2 and 15 months, respectively, after the initial repair procedure. The average hospital stay was 6.5 days. The mean length of follow-up was 21.1 months. CONCLUSIONS: This series demonstrates that minimally invasive endoscopic repair of sphenoid sinus CSF leaks may be accomplished with an acceptable rate of morbidity and excellent outcomes. Extended endoscopic approaches, including the pterygomaxillary fossa approach, may be useful in selected instances.     

Endonasal endoscopic repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks

OBJECTIVE: To analyze possible etiological factors of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and to assess the outcomes of endonasal endoscopic repair. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Academic neurosurgical hospital.Patients Twenty-one consecutive patients who presented with spontaneous CSF leak and underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery from January 1999 through December 2001. INTERVENTION: Preoperative examination included computed tomographic scans; nasal endoscopy; measurement of glucose concentration in the nasal discharge; and, in some cases, cisternographic evaluations via computed tomography and/or magnetic resonance imaging. Telescopes, conventional endoscopic sinus surgery instruments, and a microdebrider were used for all patients who underwent endonasal surgery. A combination of plastic materials, ie, abdominal fat, fascia lata, rotated middle turbinate flaps, and fibrin glue, were used for fistula repair. RESULTS: At the time of surgery, CSF fistulas were found in the cribriform plate (6 patients), in the fovea ethmoidalis (6 patients), and in the sphenoid sinus (9 patients). In 5 of the 6 patients who had an extremely pneumatized sphenoid sinus, the source of the leak was located in the lateral extension of the sinus. A meningocele protruding through the bone defect was the source of the leak in 10 patients. Postoperative follow-up lasted from 9 to 42 months, and 20 patients were considered cured. There was only 1 recurrence, in a patient whose CSF rhinorrhea originated in the deep lateral recess of an overpneumatized sphenoid sinus. Thus, the overall success rate was 95.2%. There were no postoperative complications. CONCLUSIONS: Possible etiological factors of this disease include obesity, congenital malformations of the skull base, an overpneumatized sphenoid sinus (particularly in its lateral extensions), and the empty sella syndrome. Endoscopic endonasal repair of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea appears to be a safe and successful procedure. However, techniques for endoscopic closure of CSF fistulas in the lateral part of the sphenoid sinus need further perfecting.     

Transcochlear repair of persistent cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to demonstrate the utility of a modified transcochlear obliteration of the petrous apex in repair of persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. A review of temporal bone computed tomography (CT) scans and histological preparations for potential air cells leading to such leaks is also presented. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective case review in an academic tertiary referral center. METHODS: Patients for inclusion in this study had previously undergone either a suboccipital or translabyrinthine removal of an intracranial tumor with subsequent transmastoid and middle ear obliteration of air cell tracts to stop a CSF leak. Ninety CT scans and 178 temporal bones were reviewed and assessed for peritubal and petrous apex pneumatization. RESULTS: Four patients had initial obliteration of the orifice of the eustachian tube and middle ear that failed to prevent leakage of CSF. The leak was ultimately controlled by a transcochlear petrous apicectomy. From The Ohio State University temporal bone collection, 178 specimens were available for examination. Peritubal pneumatization was found in 42% of the bones examined. The CT scans showed unilateral petrous apex pneumatization in 30% of the specimens and bilateral pneumatization in 11%. CONCLUSIONS: Continuity of air cell tracts from the petrous apex surrounding the internal auditory canal to the medial eustachian tube can provide a path for CSF rhinorrhea that is difficult to stop by conventional means. A modified transcochlear approach successfully terminated persistent leaks in four such patients.     

经鼻内镜脑脊液鼻漏修补术的方式和方法分析

目的：探讨脑脊液鼻漏的最佳治疗方法。方法：45例经鼻内镜行脑脊液鼻漏修补术患者,42例经鼻进路,3例经鼻及鼻外双进路。采用患者自体游离阔筋膜、捣碎的肌肉,剥去骨质带骨膜的中鼻甲或下鼻甲作为修补移植物,修补采用内贴修补法、堵塞修补法、外贴修补法和充填修补法。结果：1次性手术修补成功44例（97．8％）。术后并发脑膜炎3例,额窦区感染皮瓣下积液1例。45例住院治疗7～30d,平均11d。随访5个月～7年,无复发。结论：对于前颅底小瘘口和鞍底、斜坡处瘘口的脑脊液鼻漏,经鼻内镜脑脊液鼻漏修补具有明显优势。修补方式、方法和修补材料的正确选择是修补成功的关键。     

Endonasal endoscopic repair of Sternberg's canal cerebrospinal fluid leaks

OBJECTIVES: Management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks or encephaloceles of Sternberg's canal is challenging. Transnasal visualization of this area is difficult, especially when large pneumatization is present. External approaches to this region involve aggressive surgery and are often associated with significant morbidity. The aim of the study was to assess the real effectiveness of an endoscopic endonasal approach for treating cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. STUDY DESIGN: The authors conducted a retrospective evaluation. METHODS: Clinical charts of patients with cerebrospinal fluid leaks and/or encephaloceles of Sternberg's canal treated at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. All these patients were managed with an endonasal endoscopic procedure. RESULTS: Fifteen patients (9 female and 6 male) were included in this study. Nine patients underwent a transethmoidal-pterygoidal-sphenoidal approach with a multilayer reconstructive technique. No cerebrospinal fluid leak recurrences were observed during follow up (mean follow up 37.6 +/- 21.7 standard deviation months) CONCLUSIONS: The transethmoidal-pterygoidal-sphenoidal approach provides a wide, safe, and direct route to the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. Multilayered reconstruction of the skull base defects must be considered the first option for this kind of lesion.     

经鼻内镜外伤性脑脊液鼻漏修补术

目的探讨鼻内镜下外伤性脑脊液鼻漏修补术的方法和疗效。方法回顾性分析2008年11月-2012年5月收治的8例外伤性脑脊液鼻漏患者,采用鼻内镜下修补术,并对其手术方法和疗效进行总结。结果1次手术治愈7例,1例再次手术治愈。1例术后并发颅内感染,经对症支持治疗后全愈出院。随访6-24个月,无复发。结论鼻内镜下脑脊液鼻漏修补术是一种安全、有效和微创的手术方式。     

Nasal cerebrospinal fluid leaks

Otolaryngologists are increasingly being called on to assist with the evaluation and management of skull base defects that result in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and meningoencephaloceles. A thorough understanding of the underlying pathophysiology and a critical analysis of management principles and treatment options are essential to achieve the best possible results for these patients. This review article highlights the physiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, surgical technique, and postoperative care relevant to CSF leak and encephalocele patient care for otolaryngologists with a special emphasis on the differences between CSF leaks of varying etiologies.     

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leaks

This article discusses the epidemiology, diagnosis, and management of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. An overview of traumatic CSF leaks is presented, and both conservative and operative therapies are reviewed. Management decisions are discussed based on the current literature. Controversial clinical topics are addressed, including the use of prophylactic antibiotics and the timing of surgical repair.     

经鼻内镜脑脊液鼻漏修补术23例临床分析

目的 总结鼻内镜下23例脑脊液鼻漏修补术的方法和疗效.方法 回顾性分析2003年1月至2010年12月收治的脑脊液鼻漏23例的临床资料,分析其病史、手术方法及疗 效术前行高分辨率CT(HRCT)扫描及鼻内镜检查,根据漏口处黏膜的特点确定漏口的位置.术中根据漏口位置选用相应的手术方式.采用大腿阔肌筋膜作为修补材料,采用多层内置或外置法放置修补物.术后给予抗炎、止血及降颅压等对症治疗.结果 23例中,有明确外伤史15例,自发性不明原因3例,手术所致2例,伴脑膜脑膨出3例.外伤及手术损伤者17例中15例CT检查发现有明显的颅底骨质缺损(蝶窦区骨质缺损5例,额窦与筛板交界处骨质缺损3例,筛板骨质缺损7例).其余病例CT检查仅见颅底局部骨质变薄、部分骨质吸收或未见异常.随访4～72个月,22例一次修补成功,无再发脑脊液鼻漏.1例伴脑膜脑膨出者行第3次修复,术后无再发脑脊液鼻漏.术后出现并发症2例,1例为颅内感染,1例为脑积水,均治愈出院 结论 鼻内镜下脑脊液鼻漏修补术是一种安全、有效和微创的手术方式.术前鼻内镜及HRCT等相关检查可帮助明确漏口位置,根据漏口位置选择相应的手术方式,指导术中修补漏口,是提高手术治疗成功率的关键.     

Long-term outcomes of endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks and meningoencephaloceles

BACKGROUND: The management and surgical approach to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and meningoencephaloceles have undergone transformation throughout the last 10 years. It is our interest to examine the long-term surgical outcome and reoccurrence rates of CSF leaks or meningoencephaloceles in patients having endoscopic surgical repair. METHODS: We performed a retrospective evaluation of 50 patients that underwent endoscopic surgical repair of a CSF leak, meningoencephalocele, or both, between September 1985 and October 2003. RESULTS: Cumulatively, reoccurrence rates were 15% (7/47) among the CSF leak patients with an average time frame for reoccurrence ranging from 1 to 25 months (average, 7 months). Patients with meningoencephaloceles had an overall reoccurrence rate of 8% (1/13). In addition, a Medline search on CSF leaks and meningoencephaloceles provided the names of 32 authors that have studied outcomes of endoscopic surgical repair. Of the 151 patients still followed in the 5- to 10-year postoperative group, there were 37 recurrences of CSF leaks and 5 reoccurrences of the meningoencephaloceles with a total recurrence rate of 27% (37 + 5/151). Of the 19 patients still followed in the >10-year postoperative group, there were three reoccurrences of CSF leaks and no reoccurrences of meningoencephaloceles, giving a reoccurrence rate of 16% (3 + 0/19). CONCLUSION: Based on our cumulative results, a reoccurrence of a CSF leak or meningoencephalocele after endoscopic repair will occur within the first 2 years postoperatively. Once patients pass these postoperative time frames they are relatively free of reoccurrence from this very effective surgical management. Endoscopic repair results are better than craniotomy with much less morbidity.     

Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the sphenoid sinus

BACKGROUND: Multiple reports have demonstrated the efficacy of the transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of the anterior cranial base. The literature, however, lacks a comprehensive clinical study specifically addressing the transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the factors that significantly affect the surgical outcome after transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of all patients who underwent an endoscopic transnasal repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus at our teaching hospitals. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients with CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinuses that were repaired by the transnasal endoscopic approach were included in our study. Causes of the CSF leaks included trauma, surgery, neoplasms, and idiopathic causes. Obliteration was the most common technique used to repair the CSF fistulas (used in 15 [58%] of 26 procedures). Grafting materials included banked pericardium, mucosa, turbinate bone, and mucoperichondrium placed by underlay or onlay grafting or abdominal fat used to obliterate the sphenoid sinus. Twenty-two patients were successfully treated on the first attempt. A persistent leak in 2 patients with previously unrecognized high-pressure hydrocephalus was repaired during a second endoscopic surgery, quickly followed by ventriculoperitoneal shunting. CONCLUSIONS: Assuming an adequate repair, other factors such as the cause, the size of the defect, the technique and material used to repair the defect, and perioperative management do not affect the surgical outcome significantly. Untreated high-pressure hydrocephalus can lead to a recurrence or persistence of the leaks and should be suspected in patients with posttraumatic, idiopathic, or recurrent CSF leaks.