Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2000 Jan;122(1):56-60. doi: 10.1016/S0194-5998(00)70144-6.

Abstract

Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is a promising alternative to traditional repair techniques. This article reports our experience with 21 cases (10 spontaneous, 8 iatrogenic, and 3 traumatic). Various diagnostic radiographic modalities were used, including computer-aided techniques. Most repairs were accomplished with a free fascial graft positioned in the epidural space. Postoperative lumbar drainage was used in 15 cases. Initial repair was successful in 18 cases (85.7%). In all 3 failures, the surgeon had difficulty with proper graft placement. Additionally, 2 of these cases were confounded by early inadvertent removal of the lumbar drain. All patients in whom the procedure failed underwent a second successful endoscopic repair. There were no major complications. In our experience endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is a safe and effective approach that can be improved with computer-aided localization devices. Proper graft placement is critical, and lumbar drainage is an important adjunct in selected cases.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / diagnosis
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / etiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / surgery*
  • Drainage
  • Endoscopy*
  • Fascia / transplantation
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Postoperative Care
  • Reoperation
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Therapy, Computer-Assisted