Endoscopic Repair Of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks Research Articles

Transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea and skull base defect: ten-year experience.

Many reports have advocated the feasibility of using an endoscope for the treatment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and skull base defect, and diversified endoscopic techniques and repairing materials have recently been proposed. This study determined the effectiveness of endoscopic repair of CSF leaks and interpreted the indications of the lumbar drain. Retrospective follow-up. A total of 39 patients with CSF rhinorrhea (20 traumatic, 13 iatrogenic, and 6 spontaneous) were treated in one institution over a 10-year period. An underlay procedure was used to make eight (20.5%) repairs by way of a turbinate composite graft (4 patients), turbinate mucosa graft (3 patients), or the Dura Substitute (Preclude) (1 patient). A free turbinate graft with the applied fibrin glue was used to repair the defect by way of an overlay procedure in 23 (59.0%) lesions. Abdominal fat was used to repair the other eight (20.5%) lesions. Defects in the cribriform plate and anterior ethmoid sinus comprised the majority (61.5%) of all lesions. The successful rates for overlay, underlay, and fat obliteration procedures were 91.3% (21/23), 87.5% (7/8), and 100% (8/8), respectively. There were no statistical difference between underlay and overlay techniques (P = .792, Student's t test). Lumbar drainage was performed in 18 of 39 (46.2%) cases. Most patients required nasal packing (89.7%) and prophylactic parenteral antibiotics (97.4%). CSF rhinorrhea was resolved during the first attempt in 36 of 39 (92.3%) patients. All leaks were successfully repaired after a second attempt. No major complications were encountered. The endoscopic approach is safe and effective for the treatment of CSF rhinorrhea, even in the cases not successfully treated by previous neurosurgical approaches. Lumbar drain was suggested for defects in the frontal and sphenoid sinus and defects associated with meningocele or encephalocele. Complete exposure of the defect, appropriate selection of a fitting graft, as well as accurate placement and stabilization of the graft are critical to the success of repair.

Endonasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks of the sphenoid sinus.

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. To ascertain the factors that significantly affect the surgical outcome after transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leaks of the sphenoid sinus. 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. 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. 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.

Safety and Efficacy of Endoscopic Repair of CSF leaks and Encephaloceles: A Survey of the Members of the American Rhinologic Society

The purpose of this article is to review the endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and encephaloceles, with particular emphasis on safety and efficacy, by retrospective assessment utilizing the results of a mailed questionnaire. Surveys were mailed to members of the American Rhinologic Society with practices in both academic centers and/or private settings. Survey results were then assessed and tabulated. There were 635 mailings, with 197 responses (31%). Seventy-two (36% of respondents) indicated that they performed endoscopic management of CSF leaks and encephaloceles, while 125 (64% of respondents) did not. Respondents reported approximately 522 cases of CSF leaks and approximately 128 cases of encephaloceles managed by endoscopy. Success rates after a single procedure were estimated at 90% for CSF leaks and 93% for encephaloceles. Success rates after a secondary procedure were estimated at 86% and 97%, respectively; 29% of respondents have, at some point, made a referral to neurosurgery. A total of 13 complications related to endoscopic repairs were reported (2.5%). For CSF leak repair, complications included seizures, 0.2%; meningitis, 1.1%; and one reported case each of cavernous sinus thrombosis, temporary visual problems, sinusitis, and intracranial hypertension/bleed. There was only one reported death in the approximately 522 cases. Eleven complications following encephalocele repairs (8.5%) included seizures, 3.1%; meningitis, 2.3%; and one reported case each of brain abscess, sinusitis, false aneurysm of middle cerebral artery, and mild dizziness. No deaths following encephalocele repair were reported. The endoscopic management of CSF leaks and encephaloceles has become increasingly popular and has proven to have low morbidity and mortality with high success. Overall, our results confirm that in the hands of the skilled endoscopist, endoscopic management of CSF leaks and encephaloceles is highly efficacious and has a very low incidence of significant complication.

Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks to the sinonasal tract: Predictors of success

Introduction: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks may arise as a complication of endoscopic sinus surgery, trauma, or hydrocephalus, or they may occur spontaneously without any identifiable cause. Despite general agreement that CSF leaks should not be left untreated, their initial management, the surgical indications, and the technique of repair are controversial. Objective: We undertook this study to ascertain whether a particular surgical technique or material was more successful for repair. Additionally, we tried to identify which specific characteristics of the patient, the CSF fistula, or the adjunctive treatment influenced the result of the repair. Study Design: We completed a retrospective review of all patients undergoing endoscopic repair of a CSF leak at our academic hospitals. Results: Forty-eight patients with 53 CSF fistulas were included in the study. Fifty sites were successfully repaired endoscopically on the first attempt. Three persistent leaks were repaired successfully on the second attempt. Location and size of the leak, cause, technique, and choice of material used for the repair did not significantly affect surgical outcome. However, the presence of hydrocephalus had a statistically significant negative influence on surgical outcome. All patients with increased intraventricular pressure required a ventricular shunt in addition to a second endoscopic repair. Conclusion: If the surgical technique is sound, endoscopic repair of CSF leaks is highly successful, independent of the choice of the material and technique used in the repair. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2000;123:195–201.)

Transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: a meta-analysis.

Trauma and surgery are the most common causes of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Surgical repair is recommended for patients with CSF leaks that do not respond to conservative measures, traumatic CSF leaks that require transcranial surgery for associated brain injuries, and iatrogenic defects that are discovered intraoperatively. The purpose of our study was to ascertain the outcome after transnasal endoscopic repair of CSF leaks and to identify factors regarding the patient, CSF fistula, and treatment that may influence the results of the repair. We performed a meta-analysis of all studies published in English between 1990 and 1999 that reported a minimum of five patients with CSF fistulae that were repaired using an endoscopic approach. We analyzed data that included type of graft and technique used during the repair, surgical complications, the use of packing, and the use of lumbar drains and antibiotics. The success rate was monitored and correlated with the other variables. The meta-analysis database was compared with and added to a database comprising our own patients. Fourteen studies comprising 289 CSF fistulae met the inclusion criteria. Endoscopic repair of CSF leaks was successful in 90% (259/289) of the cases after a first attempt. Seventeen of 30 persistent leaks (52%) were closed after a second attempt. Thus ultimately 97% (276/289) of the leaks were repaired using an endoscopic approach. The success rate of repairs using any of the reported techniques and materials was high and not statistically different. The incidence of major complications such a meningitis, subdural hematoma, and intracranial abscess was less than 1% for each complication. The endoscopic approach is highly effective and is associated with low morbidity. The literature supports the endoscopic approach using a variety of techniques and materials for the repair of CSF leaks.

'Bath-plug' technique for the endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.

In the past cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks were managed via a craniotomy with intradural repair. With the advent of endoscopic sinus surgery, transnasal repair has become more popular. The comparatively low morbidity and high success rate of endoscopic repair has made it the treatment of choice for CSF leak repair. As more surgeons practice endoscopic sinus surgery, the incidence of iatrogenic CSF leaks has increased. It is important that endoscopic sinus surgeons be aware of the techniques for closing such leaks. The aim of this study is to present a new technique for the endoscopic repair of CSF leaks. Since the technique was devised the authors have used the technique on six patients. All patients had lumbar drains inserted and five patients had intra-thecal fluorescein inserted for location of the leak. All repairs have been successful with an average follow-up of 13 months. The technique consists of introducing a fat plug with a specifically secured vicryl suture into the intradural space and placing traction on the suture to seal the defect much as a bath plug seals a bath. There were no complications in any of the patients either intra- or post-operatively. The difficulties and possible complications of the technique as well as the use of a lumbar drain and intra-thecal fluorescein are discussed.