The management of massive pneumocephalus and cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea as a consequence of biopsy in a patient with inverted papilloma.
Nasal polypectomy is a common ENT operation. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea and pneumocephalus are rare complications. We present a patient who developed both these complications after biopsy of nasal polyps which subsequently proved to be an inverted papilloma. He had a defect in the ethmoid roof, which was repaired. Whilst endoscopic repair of CSF leak is increasing in popularity, in this patient because of his pathology and difficulty of access a more traditional lateral rhinotomy approach was made with a successful outcome. An overview of the management of these complications is presented.
Kale
U S
US
Department of Otolaryngology, North Riding Infirmary, Middlesbrough, UK.
Raje
S G
SG
Wight
R G
RG
D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D005005:Ethmoid Sinus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009669:Nose Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D018308:Papilloma, Inverted / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D011007:Pneumocephalus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed