Endoscopic transnasal intradural repair of anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid fistulae

Abstract

This study presents the techniques and results of endoscopic diagnosis and repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae involving the anterior skull base and paranasal sinuses. Design. A retrospective cohort study of all consecutive patients undergoing endoscopic repair of anterior skull base CSF fistulae. Setting. Tertiary referral institutions. Materials and methods. Fifty-two patients underwent endoscopic repair of CSF fistula. Thirteen cases were traumatic in origin, 11 spontaneous not associated with meningoencephalocele and 12 with meningoencephalocele. Eleven were iatrogenic and five associated with transphenoidal pituitary surgery, two acute and three delayed following radiotherapy. ..