Recurrent CSF Leak Research Articles

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Is Associated with Recurrent CSF Leak and Reoperation for Spontaneous Temporal Encephalocele.

Objective Spontaneous temporal encephaloceles (STEs) are increasingly recognized as sequelae of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), which in turn may further complicate their management. We endeavored to review the University of Pennsylvania institutional experience on operative management of STEs, with a focus on factors which may influence surgical outcomes, particularly IIH. Design Retrospective chart review over 9 years from 2013 to 2022. Setting Single-center, two-hospital, tertiary care, academic setting. Participants Patients undergoing middle cranial fossa (43.9%), transmastoid (44.9%), or combined (11.2%) approaches for repair of STEs during the study period ( n = 107). Main Outcome Measures Postoperative complication rates, recurrence, and diagnosis of IIH. Results The majority of patients were female (64.5%), with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 37 kg/m 2 and mean age of 57 years. Twelve patients (9%) represented reoperations after failed primary repairs. Fourteen percent of patients undergoing primary surgical repair of STE were diagnosed with IIH, compared with 42% of patients undergoing reoperations ( p = 0.015). In addition, there was a significant difference in the average BMI of patients undergoing primary (36.4 kg/m 2 ) versus revision surgery (40.9 kg/m 2 , p = 0.04). Half of those undergoing reoperation were placed on postoperative acetazolamide compared with 11% of patients undergoing primary operations. No patient experienced recurrent leak after reoperation. Conclusion Based on our institutional experience, elevated BMI and the presence of IIH are significant predictors of reoperation for STE. In our experience, acetazolamide is a common adjunct management strategy in addition to reoperation for patients with recurrent cerebrospinal fluid leak in the setting of STE.

P22. Recurrent CSF leak following repair of incidental durotomy in lumbar spinal stenosis surgery

P22. Recurrent CSF leak following repair of incidental durotomy in lumbar spinal stenosis surgery

Multiple spontaneous skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks: some insights from an international retrospective collaborative study.

Spontaneous skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks occurring without any apparent cause are rare. But those patients that present such leaks simultaneously, or successively, in multiple locations are even rarer. Given the rarity of this condition, we collected data from other groups in a multicentre study to reach an adequate number of patients and draw some preliminary considerations. We carried out a multicentre retrospective study on a cohort of patients treated at third level hospitals in Italy, Spain, United Kingdom and Greece for multiple spontaneous-CSF leaks and we compared them with a control group of patients treated for recurrent spontaneous-CSF leaks. Data regarding clinical aspects, radiological findings, surgical techniques and outcome were collected and preliminary considerations on the results were discussed. A total of 25 patients presented multiple simultaneous spontaneous CSF leaks while 18 patients fit with the criteria of recurrent spontaneous CSF leaks. Data analysis was conducted separately. Our understanding of the pathogenesis of this condition is currently very limited. A causative role of IIH may be present but the differences that emerged from the comparison with patients with recurrent fistulas seem to promote the possible role of other cofactors. A longer follow-up period is needed, and, in our opinion, prospective and multicentre studies are the only solution to seriously deal with such a complex topic.

SAT-LB47 Tension Pneumothorax Following Cabergoline Initiation for Macroprolactinoma

Background Pneumocephalus is a rare and life-threatening complication of dopamine agonists (DA) for the treatment of invasive giant prolactinomas. Here we present a catastrophic case of pneumocephalus following cabergoline therapy for invasive macroprolactinoma. Clinical Case A 49-year-old man presented with transient left-sided facial weakness for one day. MRI Brain showed no acute infarcts but revealed a 3.7cm pituitary macroadenoma extending into the sphenoid sinus and left cavernous sinus, encasing the left internal carotid artery with scattered hemorrhagic foci. He was discharged on cabergoline 0.25mg twice weekly for hyperprolactinemia of 7640 ng/mL (N 2.64-13.13 ng/mL). Four weeks later, he was readmitted for altered sensorium, clear rhinorrhea and positional headache. Work-up showed a prolactin of 204 ng/mL confirmed on dilution testing, and a random cortisol of 8.3 mcg/dL. MRI Brain revealed mass involution measuring 2.8cm with the central component replaced by air, and extensive pneumocephalus overlying bilateral cerebral hemispheres, within lateral ventricles and basal cisterns. Further DA therapy was held, and the patient was started on stress dose steroids. He underwent emergent surgical repair of the CSF leak, partial tumor resection and lumbar drain placement. Pathology confirmed pituitary adenoma staining positive for prolactin. Two weeks later, prolactin was 7157 ng/mL. Subsequent attempts to restart DA therapy was complicated by recurrent CSF leaks requiring two additional surgical repairs. After a complicated hospital course requiring prolonged intubation, tracheostomy and PEG tube placement, he was discharged to an acute rehabilitation center on low dose bromocriptine 2.5mg daily as well as maintenance hydrocortisone 10mg twice daily. Discussion CSF leak with pneumocephalus is a rare complication of DA therapy for invasive macroprolactinomas. It occurs due to disruption of the dura with an osseous defect of the skull base. Rapid volume reduction by DA leads to exposure of previously created pathologic opening in the skull base originally plugged by tumor itself until then. Out of 60 patients from 1980 to 2017 who developed DA therapy-induced CSF leak, more than half (57%) were on bromocriptine. Median initial prolactin was 5460 ng/ml and median time from therapy initiation to presence of rhinorrhea was 6 weeks, although it can occur as late as 2 years. The recommended definitive management of DA-induced rhinorrhea is surgical repair. Subsequently, there is no consensus on how to restart DA post-repair. Conclusion This case illustrates the importance of watchful monitoring of response after DA therapy initiation in invasive macroprolactinomas. Although data is sparse, there may be benefit in lower and less frequent dosing initially. Patient education regarding the risk of complications and signs/symptoms to watch out for with DA therapy is also crucial.

Surgical outcomes of the endonasal endoscopic approach within a standardized management protocol for repair of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.

Spontaneous CSF leaks are rare, their diagnosis is often delayed, and they can precipitate meningitis. Craniotomy is the historical "gold standard" repair for these leaks. An endonasal endoscopic approach (EEA) offers potentially less invasiveness and lower surgical morbidity than a traditional craniotomy but must yield the same surgical success. A paucity of data exists studying EEA as the primary management for spontaneous CSF leaks. The authors retrospectively reviewed patients undergoing spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea repair at their institution from July 2010 to August 2018. Standardized management includes EEA as first-line treatment, and lumbar puncture (LP) performed 24-48 hours postoperatively. If opening pressure on LP is elevated, CSF diversion or acetazolamide therapy is used as needed. Perioperative lumbar drains are not used. Of 46 patients identified, the most common CSF rhinorrhea etiology was encephalocele (28/46, 60.9%), and the most common location was cribriform/ethmoid (26/46, 56.5%). Forty-three patients underwent EEA alone, and 3 underwent a simultaneous EEA/craniotomy. The most common repair strategy was nasoseptal or other pedicled flaps (18/46, 39.1%). Postoperatively, 15 patients (32.6%) received CSF diversion due to elevated ICP, with BMI > 40 kg/m2 being a significant risk factor (odds ratio 4.35, p = 0.033) for postrepair shunt placement. Twelve patients received acetazolamide therapy for treatment of mildly elevated pressures. The average opening pressure of the shunted group was 36 cm H2O and the average for the acetazolamide-only group was 26 cm H2O. Two patients underwent CSF leak repair revision, one because of progressive fungal sinusitis and the other because of recurrent CSF leak. The mean follow-up duration was 15 months. The paradigm of EEA repair of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea with postoperative LP to identify undiagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension appears to be safe and effective. In the authors' cohort, morbid obesity was statistically associated with the need for postoperative CSF diversion. This has implications for future surgical treatment as obesity levels continue to rise worldwide.

Audiologic Improvement Following MCF Approach for Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks.

To determine the audiologic improvement after middle cranial fossa (MCF) approach to repair spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leaks. Retrospective cohort study. Tertiary referral center. Twenty-four consecutive patients (27 ears) with temporal bone sCSF leak over a 4-year period. Patient age, sex, ethnicity, body mass index (BMI), location of CSF leak, recurrence of CSF leak, and presence of encephalocele(s) were recorded. Audiometric testing in patients undergoing MCF repair of temporal bone sCSF leak. Comparison of preoperative and postoperative pure-tone average (PTA), air-bone gap (ABG), and word recognition score (WRS) in the sCSF leak ear. Out of 27 ears, 55% had multiple tegmen defects and 82% had more than or equal to 1 encephaloceles. There were no recurrent CSF leaks at a median follow up of 4 months. The mean (SD) preoperative PTA and ABG were 40.58 [15.67] and 16.44 [6.93] dB, respectively. There was significant improvement in mean PTA (10.28 [8.01] dB; p < 0.001; Cohen d = 0.95) and ABG (9.31 [7.16] dB; p < 0.001; Cohen d = 0.88) after sCSF repair. Mean WRS improved (by 3.07 [6.11] %; p = 0.024; Cohen d = 0.46) from a mean preoperative WRS of 93.16 [9.34]% to a mean postoperative WRS of 96.26 [6.49]%. MCF approach for repair of sCSF leaks yields significant improvement in conductive hearing loss and is highly effective in management of the entire lateral skull base where multiple bony defects are often identified.

Dramatic radiographic response resulting in cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea associated with sunitinib therapy in recurrent atypical meningioma: case report.

Sunitinib is a multiple tyrosine kinase inhibitor with antiangiogenic, cytostatic, and antimigratory activity for meningiomas. A recent clinical trial of sunitinib for treatment of recurrent Grade II and III meningiomas suggested potential efficacy in this population, but only 2 patients exhibited significant radiographic response with tumor volume reduction. The authors illustrate another such case and discuss a complication related to this dramatic tumor volume reduction in aggressive skull base meningiomas. The authors describe the case of a 39-year-old woman who had undergone repeat surgical interventions and courses of radiotherapy over the previous 11 years for recurrent cranial and spinal meningiomas. Despite 4 operations over the course of 4 years on her right petroclival meningioma with cavernous sinus and jugular fossa extensions, she had progressive neurological deficits and tumor recurrences. The specimen histology progressed from WHO Grade I initially to Grade II at the time of the third recurrence. The lesion was then irradiated 3 times using stereotactic radiosurgery for further recurrences. More recently, the tumor size increased rapidly on imaging, in association with progressive neurological symptoms arising from brainstem compression and vasogenic edema. Institution of sunitinib therapy yielded a dramatic radiographic response, with marked reduction in the tumor volume and reduction of brainstem vasogenic edema within a few weeks of initiation of treatment. The significant radiographic response of tumor in the clival region was also associated with CSF rhinorrhea from a dural breach created by resolution of the invasive skull base meningioma, which necessitated withholding the sunitinib medication. To address the leak, the authors undertook surgical exploration and transsphenoidal packing using an autologous fat graft and a vascularized pedicled nasoseptal flap. The patient has done well during follow-up of 3 months after packing, with no evidence of recurrent CSF leak, and the medication was subsequently restarted. Prior clinical data and the dramatic radiographic response in this patient suggest that sunitinib holds promising therapeutic potential in carefully selected patients with recurrent atypical meningiomas where conventional strategies have been exhausted. There is a potential risk of associated CSF rhinorrhea, especially in more invasive skull base lesions showing dramatic radiographic response.

The benefit of early lumbar drain insertion in reducing the length of CSF leak in traumatic rhinorrhea

ObjectiveIn traumatic CSF leaks, the early lumbar drain (LD) placement could significantly shorten the rhinorrhea period. MethodsIncluded were patients presenting CSF rhinorrhea subsequent to closed head trauma, admitted within 24h. Patients were randomly allocated into two treatment arms: 30 patients within Group A with CSF diversion via LD and 30 patients in Group B managed conservatively with bed rest and head elevation. Primary outcome was length of CSF rhinorrhea. Secondary outcomes were recurrent CSF leaks and meningitis occurrence. ResultsIn Group A leak stopped within 10 days, in Group B leak persisted beyond 10days in 2 patients. In Group A CSF leak time was 4.83±1.88 days while in Group B was 7.03±2.02 days. The difference is statistically significant: 2.2 days (95% CI 3.05–1.35), p<0.0001. During follow-up recurrent CSF leak developed in 7 patients (23%) in Group A and in 8 patients (27%) in Group B (p=0.63, not significant). Meningitis occurred in 3 patients in Group A (10%) and in 4 cases in Group B (13%) (p=0.61, not significant). ConclusionsThe initial use of LDs in highly selected patients with traumatic CSF rhinorrhea resulted in a significant decrease of leakage. Nevertheless, the benefits should be carefully weighted with drawbacks.

Recurrent CSF Leak Following Repair of Incidental Durotomy

Recurrent CSF Leak Following Repair of Incidental Durotomy

MODERN TECHNOLOGY IN THE SURGICAL TREATMENT OF HEAD INJURY SEQUELAE

The paper presents main types of surgically relevant posttraumatic lesions in 4136 patients with skull vault as well as skull base defects, craniofacial deformities, recurrent CSF leaks, arterio-venous fistulas, aneurysms and pseudoaneurysms etc. Classification of TBI sequelae and complications as well as its clinical course grading is presented. The use of modern neuroimaging techniques for studying pathophysiologic mechanisms and complications of TBI has been demonstrated. Special emphasis was given to minimally invasive and reconstructive surgery; computer modeling with subsequent full-copy stereolitographic laser implant setup was shown which is of great importance in cases of large and complex skull base and craniofacial deformities. Patient selection for transcranial and endonasal CSF leak closure techniques was justified. Treatment of post-traumatic vascular injuries using Serbinenko balloon-catheters as well as modern techniques such as stents, coils and embolization has been demonstrated.

Isolated Sudden-Onset Hearing Loss as a Manifestation of Recurrent CSF Leak

Isolated Sudden-Onset Hearing Loss as a Manifestation of Recurrent CSF Leak

Outcome of Computer-Assisted Sinus Surgery: A 5-Year Study

The aim of this work was to study the outcome and rate of complications in a cohort of patients who underwent computer-assisted surgery (CAS). A retrospective study was performed of all patients undergoing CAS at a tertiary care teaching hospital over a 5-year period. All patients who underwent computer-assisted sinus surgery with at least 1 year of follow-up were included in the study. Charts were reviewed for indication of CAS, incidence of major complications, and need for revision surgery after CAS. A total of 120 patients underwent CAS in the 5-year period. Ten patients were lost to follow-up and were not included in the analysis. Indications for the use of CAS were revision surgery in 85 patients, sphenoid sinus disease in 12 patients, isolated frontal sinus disease in 4 patients, combined sphenoid and frontal disease in 2 patients, and cerebrospinal fluid leak (CSF) leak in 7 patients. The mean postoperative follow-up was 2.6 years. There were no major complications. Fifteen (16.5%) patients required revision surgery: 10 patients required revision endoscopic sinus surgery (1-5 revisions using CAS), 3 patients required an external open procedure, and 3 patients required revision CSF leak closure (one patient required both revision sinus surgery and an external procedure). There were no cases of major intra- or postoperative bleeding, central nervous system damage, CSF leak, or orbital trauma in this study. CAS helps in avoiding trauma to the orbit and anterior skull base and has a low incidence of major complications. The need for revision surgery may occur in patients with frontal sinus disease, nasal polyposis, or recurrent CSF leak.