EXTRACRANIAL REPAIR OF CEREBROSPINAL FLUID RHINORRHOEA

Background: Extracranial techniques, which have none of the inherent morbidity associated with intracranial techniques, can successfully repair rhinological cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas. Methods: A series of five consecutive adult patients with persistent rhinological CSF fistulas were reviewed retrospectively. Results: The success rate for initial closure was 60%. On the second operation both failures were successfully repaired. Conclusions: The external approach is safe, successful, alternative approach for the surgical repair of rhinological CSF fistulas.     

Unilateral endoscopic approach for repair of frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid leak

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak closure remains one of the most difficult surgeries for skull base surgeons, particularly with frontal sinus involvement. Technological advances in endoscopic surgery increasingly allow for less morbid approaches to the frontal sinus. We describe a series of patients who underwent endoscopic frontal sinus CSF leak repair utilizing a unilateral approach, to evaluate the utility and outcomes of this method. We performed a retrospective review of four cases in tertiary care centers. Participants included patients with CSF leak involving the frontal sinus. Main outcome measures included cessation of CSF leak and frontal sinus patency. Three patients were closed on the first surgical attempt; one with a communicating hydrocephalus required a revision procedure. Leak etiologies included prior craniotomy for frontal sinus mucopyocele, spontaneous meningoencephalocele, erosion due to mucormycosis, and prior endoscopic sinus surgery. The frontal sinus remained patent in three of four patients. No patients have evidence of a leak at a minimum of 1 year after surgery. The repair of frontal sinus CSF leaks is possible in specific cases with an endoscopic unilateral approach in leaks with multiple etiologies. Surgeons should consider this approach when selecting the appropriate procedure for repair of frontal sinus CSF leaks.     

The Efficacy of Computer Assisted Surgery in the Endoscopic Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea

OBJECTIVE: To determine the outcome of endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea with and without computer assisted surgery. STUDY DESIGN: A review of all patients undergoing endoscopic closure of CSF rhinorrhea at a tertiary care medical center between 1994 and 2003. Charts from the 24 patients were reviewed for indications, location of leak, type of surgical closure, number of prior closure attempts, graft materials, use of computer assisted surgery, complications, and need for revision surgery. Analysis was performed to determine a possible correlation between success of CSF leak repair and use of computer assisted surgery. RESULTS: The etiology of the leak was previous sinus surgery in 10 patients (41.7%), trauma in 5 patients (20.8%), spontaneous leak in 5 patients (20.8%), and skull base surgery in 4 patients (16.7%). The most common sites of leak were the fovea ethmoidalis in 10 patients (41.7%), cribriform plate in 8 patients (33.3%), and sphenoid sinus in 6 patients (25%). Image guidance was employed in 66.7% (16 patients) of our first attempted repairs. Six patients underwent a total of 9 revision procedures. At last follow-up, 96% of patients had no evidence of CSF rhinorrhea. A comparison of patients in the 2 groups failed to reveal a statistically significant difference in the rate of CSF leak closure. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic closure of CSF rhinorrhea represents a minimally invasive and highly successful procedure. The use of computer assistance may improve the confidence of the surgeon and is a valuable adjunct in this procedure. Our study, however, did not demonstrate an improvement in the rates of successful closure with the use of computer assistance.     

Endonasal endoscopic duraplasty: our experience.

Objective: Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks is a recognized technique. We consider our experience and evaluate the outcomes in patients who underwent endoscopic repair of CSF leaks. Methods: A retrospective case note review of 135 patients who underwent anterior cranial repairs of CSF leaks between August 1995 and December 2004 at a tertiary referral center. We describe the technical details and outcomes of care by purely endoscopic procedures. Results: Thirteen patients had combined transcranial and endonasal repairs and 122 patients had their repairs using an endoscopic approach only. There were 64 males and 71 females with ages that ranged from 1 to 75 years (mean age 42 years, median age 44 years). The success rate for first attempt only was 93.4%. Eight of the 122 patients (6.6%) needed a second surgical repair. In one patient a bicoronal approach was necessary while in the other cases a revision endoscopic procedure was appropriate. The period of follow-up ranged from 2 months to 9 years (mean 5 years, median 39 months). Conclusions: Our experience confirmed that endoscopic surgery is an effective and safe method of treatment for most CSF leaks. A variety of different endoscopic techniques allowed CSF leaks to be repaired in almost every site of the anterior skull base with very few exceptions.     

Nasoseptal flap closure of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leaks

The vascularized nasoseptal flap has become a principal reconstructive technique for the closure of endonasal skull base surgery defects. Despite its potential utility, there has been no report describing the use of the modern nasoseptal flap to repair traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and documenting the outcomes of this application. Specific concerns in skull base trauma include septal trauma with disruption of the flap pedicle, multiple leak sites, and issues surrounding persistent leaks after traumatic craniotomy. We performed a retrospective case series review of 14 patients who underwent nasoseptal flap closure of traumatic CSF leaks in a tertiary academic hospital. Main outcome measures include analysis of clinical outcome data. Defect etiology was motor vehicle collision in eight patients (57%), prior sinus surgery in four (29%), and assault in two (14%). At the time of nasoseptal flap repair, four patients had failed prior avascular grafts and two had previously undergone craniotomies for repair. Follow-up data were available for all patients (mean, 10 months). The overall success rate was 100% (no leaks), with 100% defect coverage. The nasoseptal flap is a versatile and reliable local reconstructive technique for ventral base traumatic defects, with a 100% CSF leak repair rate in this series.     

Endonasal Endoscopic Closure of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea

The authors review their experience with endoscopic repair of skull base defects associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea involving the paranasal sinuses. A total of 22 patients was treated endoscopically between 1992 and 1998. The repair method consisted of closure of the CSF fistula with a free autologous abdominal fat graft and fibrin glue, supported with a sheet of silastic. The primary closure rate was 82% (18/22), and the overall closure rate was 95.5% (21/22) without recurrence or complications within an average follow-up of 5 years (14-83 months). A single patient still complains of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea, although this was never proved by any clinical, endoscopic, or biological (β₂-transferrin) examination. The repair of ethmoidal-sphenoidal cerebrospinal fluid fistulae by endonasal endoscopic surgery is an excellent technique, both safe and effective. Fat is a material of choice, as it is tight and resists infection well. The technique and indications for endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks are discussed.     

Low-grade CSF leaks in endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery: efficacy of a simple and fully synthetic repair with a hydrogel sealant

Background

Intra-operative CSF leak during endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery is not uncommon. Surgical repair with a variety of autologous grafts, rigid buttresses and CSF diversion techniques that add time and complexity have been reported.

Objective

To describe a simple and purely synthetic closure for low-grade CSF leaks following endoscopic trans-sphenoidal pituitary surgery.

Methods

A retrospective review of all endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery undertaken for pituitary pathology between 2005 and 2010 was carried out. The grade of CSF leak and success of graded repair was noted. Patients with no CSF leak (grade 0) had gelatin sponge placed in the tumour cavity. In those with low-grade CSF leak through small arachnoid defects (grade 1), repair was carried out using gelatin sponge and hydrogel sealant overlay. CSF diversion was not employed for low-grade CSF leaks.

Results

Of the 255 endoscopic trans-sphenoidal surgeries, 158 (62%) had no leak (grade 0) and 74 (29%) had a low-grade leak (grade 1). Repairs in all cases were of grade 0, and all but two cases of grade 1 CSF leak were successful at a mean follow-up of 29?months. The 2 (2.7%) post-operative CSF leaks were seen within 6?weeks of surgery. Both cases were related to bouts of sneezing and were repaired using further trans-sphenoidal surgery and/or lumbar CSF diversion.

Conclusions

A simple purely synthetic repair of low-grade CSF leaks is described. This repair is safe and comparable in efficacy whilst avoiding the morbidity related to more complex sellar reconstructions previously described.     

Impact of Chemoradiotherapy on CSF Leak Repair after Skull Base Surgery

Background Transnasal endoscopic resection (TER) has become the treatment of choice for many skull base tumors. A major limitation of TER is the management of large dural defects and the need for repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, particularly among patients who are treated with chemotherapy (CTX) or radiotherapy (RT). The objective of this study is to determine the impact of CTX and RT on the success of CSF leak repair after TER. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of a single-institution experience of TER from 1992 to 2011. Results We identified 28 patients who had endoscopic CSF leak repair after resection of malignant skull base tumors. Preoperative RT was utilized in 18 patients, and 9 had undergone CTX. All patients required CSF leak repair with rotational flaps after cribriform and/or dural resection. CSF leak repair failed in three patients (11%). A history of RT or CTX was not associated with failed CSF leak repair. Conclusion Adjuvant or neoadjuvant CTX or RT is not associated with failed CSF leak repair. Successful CSF leak repair can be performed in patients with malignant skull base tumors with an acceptable risk profile.     

Endonasal endoscopic repair of ethmoid roof cerebrospinal fluid fistula by suturing the dura

Introduction  Over the past 20years, improvement in surgical techniques as well advances in surgical instruments for sinus surgery has led to surgical closure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak using endoscopic approach. Minimally invasive and having lower post op morbidity, compared to traditional intracranial techniques, repairing CSF leak endoscopically has evolved to become the standard practice for management of CSF leak. Discussion  Widespread use of endoscope in sinus surgery have made us more familiar with the anatomy of the sinuses as well as the skull base. In this paper, we will describe our experience of CSF repair by suturing dura under endoscopic guidance for the repair of small ethmoid roof (<1.2cm) defects.     

Spontaneous CSF leaks: A paradigm for definitive repair and management of intracranial hypertension

OBJECTIVE: To report our outcomes with the repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and to demonstrate how management of underlying intracranial hypertension improves outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective review of spontaneous CSF leaks treated at the University of Pennsylvania Health System from 1996 to 2006. Data collected included demographics, nature of presentation, body mass index (BMI), site of skull base defect, surgical approach, intracranial pressure, and clinical follow-up. RESULTS: Fifty-six patients underwent repair of spontaneous CSF leaks. Eighty-two percent (46 of 56) were obese (average BMI 36.2 kg/m(2)). Nine patients had multiple CSF leaks. Fifty-four patients (96%) had associated encephaloceles. Fifty-three CSF leaks (95%) were successfully repaired at first attempt (34 months of follow-up). Intracranial pressures averaged 27 cm H(2)O. Patients were treated with acetazolamide or, in severe cases, with a ventriculoperitoneal shunt. CONCLUSIONS: Spontaneous CSF leaks have the highest recurrence rate of any etiology. With treatment of underlying intracranial hypertension coupled with endoscopic repair, the success rate (95%) approaches that of other etiologies of CSF leaks.     

Analysis of different surgical approaches for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

The current treatment method for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is surgical repair of the fistula. The aim of this study was to analyse different surgical approaches used for the treatment of CSF rhinorrhea regarding several preoperative and postoperative variables to determine the optimal method in these patients. Patients' charts were retrospectively reviewed to get the required data. Twenty-six patients who underwent different types of surgical approach for the treatment of CSF rhinorrhea were included in the study. Patients who had extensive comminuted fractures of the anterior cranial base and additional brain injury besides CSF rhinorrhea, mostly as a result of gunshot injuries, underwent craniotomy (n = 14). Osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy was used in two patients with a dural defect located at the posterior wall of the frontal sinus. Uncomplicated CSF fistulas in ten patients, located at the anterior and posterior ethmoid roof and in the sphenoid sinus, were closed with an endonasal endoscopic approach. Postoperative success rate was higher (97 % for intracranial approach, 100 % for extracranial external and endonasal endoscopic approach) for all techniques. Anosmia was the most frequent permanent complication (n = 5), seen after craniotomy. In conclusion, endonasal endoscopic approach can be preferred for the closure of uncomplicated CSF fistula, located at the anterior or posterior ethmoid roof and in the sphenoid sinus, due to its minimal postoperative morbidity. Uncomplicated CSF fistula, located at the posterior wall of frontal sinuses can be repaired extradurally with osteoplastic frontal sinusotomy. Intracranial approaches should be reserved for more complicated CSF rhinorrhea which results from extensive comminuted fractures of the anterior cranial base and is accompanied with intracranial complications.     

Minimally Invasive Technique for Repairing CSF Leaks Due to Defects of Posterior Table of Frontal Sinus

Objective Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks from the frontoethmoid and sphenoid region can be easily dealt with endoscopic approaches, but CSF rhinorrhea due to frontal sinus fractures are difficult to treat solely by the nasal endoscopic approach and may require external repair. The technique described targets defects of the posterior table of the frontal sinus where conventional osteoplastic approach of obliteration is usually done. This technique is minimally invasive and involves repair using an endoscope via a frontal trephine. Methods We have treated five cases of traumatic CSF rhinorrhea with this technique, and the mean follow-up is 1 year (range: 10–14 months). The frontal sinus is opened by making a small stab incision (frontal trephine), and the defect site is localized by visualization via endoscope through the trephine. The repair is then performed with fat, bone graft, and fibrin glue. Results Closure of the defect was achieved in a single stage in all the patients, and none of them had a recurrence of leak in the 1-year follow-up period. Conclusion This is a good technique for superiorly and laterally placed posterior table defects of the frontal sinus with minimal morbidity and excellent closure rates.     

Spontaneous Sphenoid Wing Meningoencephaloceles with Lateral Sphenoid Sinus Extension: The Endoscopic Transpterygoid Approach

Spontaneous meningoencephalocele (SME) of the sphenoid wing is a rare cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage. Surgical closure of the fistula is usually required. The approach taken depends on the location of the defect and the extension of the meningoencephalocele. The endoscopic transpterygoid approach may be useful. We prospectively analyzed the three cases of SME of the sphenoid wing with lateral sphenoid sinus extension treated endoscopically at Stanford over the last 3 years with regard to imaging findings, operative technique, and operative morbidity. In our three cases, the extent of pterygopalatine fossa (PPF) exposure undertaken, complete in one and partial in two, depended on the defect site. Follow-up ranged from 17 to 25 months. The fistula was completely closed in all three cases. Extant literature reports a 97% rate of successful closure (N = 65 of 67, with a mean follow-up of 25 months) and no major complications. Endoscopic transpterygoid repair is a useful, safe alternative to traditional approaches for repair of SME of the sphenoid wing. Its feasibility depends on the site of the defect, which can be identified by preoperative imaging. Larger PPF exposure and postoperative lumbar drainage of CSF can be useful and have a low risk of morbidity.     

Surgical management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea.

A 10-year retrospective review of patients presenting with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea was performed and the success and morbidity resulting from extracranial and craniotomy repair techniques were compared. A classification based upon the aetiology of CSF rhinorrhoea is presented and the radiological techniques used to identify the fistula site are discussed. An emphasis is made upon managing patients on an aetiological basis. This study revealed that extracranial methods of repair had a high success rate with low attendant morbidity. Although craniotomy had comparable success rates this was at the expense of an increase in patient morbidity. Where appropriate, extracranial methods of repair should be the preferred surgical option.     

Subcranial transnasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with free autologous grafts by the combined overlay and underlay techniques.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the efficacy of subcranial transnasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea with free autologous grafts by the combined overlay and underlay techniques using the surgical microscope and/or endoscope. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with CSF rhinorrhea were included in this retrospective study. They were 13 males and 7 females. Their age ranged from 7 to 62 years (mean: 39.35). The etiologies of the leak were iatrogenic in 10 cases, spontaneous in 5 cases, traumatic in 4 cases and one case was associated with meningeo-encephalocele. Preoperative nasal endoscopic examination, computed tomography (CT) with intrathecal non-ionic contrast and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were done when indicated. Endoscopic and/or microscopic repair of the CSF fistula was done by a combination of both underlay and overlay repair with free autologous grafts as follows: Gelfoam with fibrin glue, strips of fat, facia lata, Gelfoam with fibrin glue (underlay), septal cartilage, Gelfoam with fibrin glue and strips of fat (overlay). RESULTS: Complete closure of the leak was achieved in all patients. In one case of spontaneous CSF leak which was operated endoscopically, the leak recurred 6 months postoperatively and ceased spontaneously after a month with conservative medical treatment. No major complications were seen and no patients developed meningitis or postoperative anosmia. CONCLUSION: Subcranial transnasal repair with free autologous grafts by the combined overlay and underlay techniques using the endoscope or surgical microscope is a safe and successful method of treating CSF leaks, provided that the CSF leak is precisely located and the site can be reached with the endoscope or surgical microscope.     

Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea implies a communication between the subarachnoid space and the upper respiratory tract. Trauma and postoperative defects are the more common causes of CSF rhinorrhea. The authors review their results with endoscopic repair of skull base defects associated with CSF rhinorrhea involving the paranasal sinuses. A total of 10 patients, 7 males and 3 females, were treated under endoscopic vision from 1997 to 2001. The causes of CSF rhinorrhea were traumatic (7), postoperative (2) and spontaneous (1). Four patients had the diagnosis and the site confirmed after intrathecal fluorescein-saline injection. The obliteration of the CSF leak was achieved with fat free, mucoperichondrial, or mucoperiostal free grafts taken from the middle or inferior turbinate and kept in place by fibrin glue. Primary closure was obtained in 10 patients and one patient developed a recurrence 14 months later. The repair of the CSF rhinorrhea by endonasal endoscopic surgery is safe, very effective and is a valid alternative to the cranial approach.     

Determinants of success in endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid leak repair.

OBJECTIVES: To identify factors influencing success in endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the anterior skull base. METHODS: Through retrospective chart review, 24 endoscopic closures of anterior skull base CSF leaks were analyzed for factors correlating with initial repair outcome. RESULTS: Thirteen patients with either spontaneous leaks or iatrogenic leaks arising from FESS were repaired with significantly lower recurrence rate (8%) than 11 patients with leaks induced by skull base procedures (45%). However, in the latter group, only 14% recurred when the dural defect was directly visualized, whereas leaks always recurred when bony dehiscences were patched in the absence of visible dural defects. Such defects were least frequently localized in patients with craniotomy-induced leaks. A trend toward morbid obesity was also noted among repair failures. CONCLUSIONS: Direct visualization of the dural defect is essential for endoscopic repair of anterior skull base CSF leaks, with craniotomy-induced leaks being the most challenging to localize. Obesity is another likely factor contributing to repair failure.     

Transnasal Transsphenoidal Endoscopic Repair of CSF Leakage Using Multilayer Acellular Dermis.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks result from a communication between the subarachnoid space and the upper aerodigestive tract. Because of the risk of complications such as meningitis, brain abscess, and pneumocephalus, all persistent CSF leaks should be repaired. Surgical repair may be achieved transcranially or extracranially using a wide variety of autogenous, allogenic, and synthetic patching materials. We report our results with a transnasal transsphenoidal endoscopic approach for the repair of CSF leaks coupled with a multilayer closure using acellular dermis (Allodermtrade mark). We conducted a retrospective review of all patients presenting to our institution over the past 5 years with isolated sphenoid sinus CSF fistulas. Results: Twenty-one patients were included in the study. Nineteen patients (90.5%) had their sphenoid sinus CSF fistula repaired during the first attempt; 2 patients (9.5%) needed a second attempt. The multilayer repair of the CSF leak using acellular dermis via a transsphenoidal endoscopic approach is an effective and successful method of surgical repair of the fistula site. Neither the number, size, nor cause of the CSF fistula affected surgical outcomes. However, the presence of hydrocephalus was a significant negative variable, altering the surgical outcomes of our patients. The acellular dermis offers the advantage of not requiring autogenous tissue for the effective repair of CSF leaks in the sphenoid sinus.     

Cerebrospinal fluid leaks in extended endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery: covering all the angles

Following extended endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (EETSA), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak rate has been reported in the range of 5–50 %. Novel closure techniques, such as the nasoseptal flap and other multilayered repairs improved the outcomes significantly but took most of our focus. Little attention, however, was given to other aspects of the equation such as nasal support—to support the heavy weight of such repairs—and lumbar drains. These are important because they diminish the forces acting on both sides of the repair, hence covering all the angles. We reviewed data of 98 consecutive patients who underwent an EETSA between 1999 and 2014. We analyzed the rates of CSF leak throughout the years and with every modification added to our closure technique. Common pathologies encountered were invasive adenomas, meningiomas, chordomas, and craniopharyngiomas. CSF leak occurred overall in five patients (5.1 %). The nasoseptal flap decreased the rate of CSF leak but not significantly (P = 0.112), while placing a nasal trumpet to support our repair resulted in significant decrease in CSF leak rate (P = 0.0013). In the last 2 years of our series, when all modifications took place and all angles were covered, there was one leak in 35 cases (2.8 %). A protocol that covers all the angles by a good multilayered repair (regardless of its type and materials) while diminishing the forces acting on both sides of the repair leads to a minimal rate of CSF leak. No principle alone is effective individually.     

The efficacy of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the detection and clearance of choledocholithiasis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreaticography has been reported to have a high success rate in the detection and treatment of choledocholithiasis. Although there is growing enthusiasm for laparoscopic common bile duct clearance, many patients who present with gallbladder disease and suspected choledocholithiasis have endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography performed with choledocholithiasis cleared if detected. These patients are then referred for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The purpose of this study is to determine the efficacy of preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography in the diagnosis and clearance of bile duct stones at our institution. METHODS: A retrospective review was performed of all patients at this institution who underwent preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for suspected choledocholithiasis followed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy from January 1997 through July 1998. RESULTS: Common bile duct stones were detected endoscopically in 12 of 17 (71%) patients. We found serum bilirubin level to be the best predictor of choledocholithiasis. In 12 of 12 procedures, the endoscopist performed an endoscopic sphincterotomy with stone extraction and reported a fully cleared common bile duct. Intraoperative cholangiogram performed during subsequent cholecystectomy revealed choledocholithiasis in 4 of these 12 patients. Laparoscopic techniques successfully cleared the choledocholithiasis in 3 of these patients with open techniques necessary in the fourth. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggests that even after presumed successful endoscopic clearance of the bile duct stones, many patients (33% in our series) still have choledocholithiasis present at the time of cholecystectomy. We recommend intraoperative cholangiography at the time of cholecystectomy even after presumed successful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography with further intervention, preferably laparoscopic, to clear the choledocholithiasis as deemed necessary.