Microsurgical treatment of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea after operation of vestibular schwannoma due to the opening of internal auditory canal

Abstract

Objective To investigate the microsurgical treatment of refractory cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea after operation of vestibular schwannoma due to the opening of internal auditory canal. Methods From January 2012 to May 2018, a total of 249 patients with vestibular schwannoma underwent tumor resection at Neurosurgery Department, Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University. There were 8 (3.2%) cases that developed CSF rhinorrhea after operation. Among them, 5 underwent conservative therapy and CSF leakage disappeared and the remaining 3 (1.2%) cases with refractory CSF leakage received second craniotomy for CSF leakage repair on the 3rd, 9 th and 28 th day after tumor resection respectively. Suboccipital retrosigmoid approach (original incision) was used to repair the defect of posterior wall of internal auditory canal. Fresh muscle granules and glue were used to seal the defect of posterior wall of internal auditory canal. Results Among the 3 patients who underwent surgical repair operation, CSF leakage disappeared immediately in 2 cases and cured one month later in 1 case. Facial nerve function was not affected after the second operation. The assessment based on House-Brackman classification revealed grade 1 in 2 cases and grade 2 in 1 case at discharge. All the 3 patients developed intracranial infection and recovered after anti-infection therapy. Conclusions CSF rhinorrhea after vestibular schwannoma surgery is a relatively common complication. Meticulous sealing of opened air cells in the petrous bone (around the inner auditory canal and mastoid air cells) seems necessary for the prevention and treatment CSF leakage. Key words: Neuroma, acoustic; Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea; Microsurgery; Inner auditory canal