[The diagnosis and treatment of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea].
OBJECTIVE
To summarize our experience in managing cerebrospinal fluid(CSF) rhinorrhea.


METHODS
Twenty-nine cases with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea from 1982 to March of 1997 were reviewed. The duration of CSF rhinorrhea varied from 3 months to 23 years. The ages of the patients ranged from 7 to 72 years.


RESULTS
The causes of CSF leak were spontaneous in 18 cases, traumatic in 6 (1 had two accidents and got two different leaking sites) and iatrogenic in 5 cases. Twenty-two cases underwent surgical repair. Overall closure rate was 81.8%. The causes, symptoms and signs, sites of leakage and surgical techniques were analyzed. The classification, diagnosis and treatment of CSF rhinorrhea were discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Transnasal extracranial repair undertaken by otorhinolaryngologist got better closure rate(93.8%) in this group. Transnasal endoscopic repair could afford excellent view, facilitate precise tissue graft placement and get better closure rate.
Ni
D
D
Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing 100730.
Xu
C
C
Zhang
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D004724:Endoscopy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013514:Surgical Procedures, Operative / Q000379:methods