Endoscopic Surgical Treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience in Treating cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and to explore the transnasal endoscopic approach of locating CSF leak site and repairing CSF rhinorrhea.Methods: Six cases of CSF rhinorrhea were retrospectively studied to discuss about the approach of locating and repairing it.Results: Six cases of CSF rhinorrhea were 3 men and 3 women, from 28 to 45 years old .The etiology of CSF rhinorrhea respectively,2 cases;traumatic,2 cases; and spontaneous, 2 cases.By transnasal endoscope the leak sites were separately found in anterior cranial fossa, 3 cases;and in sphenoid sinus,3 cases.And four cases were repaired with gelatin sponge and fibrin glue(FG)and nasal mucosa, one case with skeletal muscle and fascia lata and FG, one case with fatal and fascia lata and FG.Finally endoscopic repair of CSF leaks was successful in 83%(5/6)of the cases after a first attempt;And one case CSF leaks(1/6)was closed after a second attempt.Conclusion: The method of repairing CSF rhinorrhea by transnasal endoscopc management has the advantages of convenience and best effectiveness, so we suggest it be used as the first choice in treatment CSF rhinorrhea.