Transnasal endoscopic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea repair: Our experience of 35 cases

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea results from a breakdown of barriers between the subarachnoid space and aerodigestive tract. Because of the risk of potential intracranial complications, all persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks should be repaired. Over the past few decades, with the advances in endoscopic techniques, the surgical management of CSF rhinorrhea has changed significantly. CSF leak repair has advanced from the conventional open intracranial approaches by neurosurgeons to the transnasal endoscopic ones by otorhinolaryngologists. In this study, 35 patients with CSF leaks underwent endoscopic repair with a 94.3% first attempt success rate, and 100% overall success rate. There were no major intraoperative or postoperative complications. To conclude, the endoscopic approach has a high success rate with minimal morbidity and has therefore, become the preferred method.