Successful Endoscopic Repair of Persistent Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Following Attempted Transcranial Repair

Abstract

Endoscopic techniques have become the preferred approach to address cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the skull base, as they offer a minimally invasive method to directly visualize and repair the defect. The alternative technique of open craniotomy can still be considered for cases refractory to endoscopic repair; however, few studies have investigated the potential benefits of endoscopic repair for cases of persistent leaks after attempted transcranial repair. We report two such cases of successful long-term endoscopic repair of a persistent CSF leak, and demonstrate that endoscopic repair is a viable option to salvage an unsuccessful intracranial repair.