title: New techniques and technology to repair cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea.
abstract: Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea occurs as a result of abnormal communication between the subarachnoid space and the pneumatized portion of the skull base, the paranasal sinuses and the middle ear. Conservative measures may be sufficient in the management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, but, in some cases, surgical treatment may be required. Transnasal endoscopic techniques are constantly being used in preference to the intra- and extracranial approaches. Recently, image guidance systems have been adopted in neurosurgery, skull base and paranasal sinus surgery. The present report refers to 4 cases of nasal cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea leak successfully treated with a transnasal endoscopic approach using various techniques and materials to close the bone defect, in 2 of which, the navigation system (Stealth Station Treon ENT Image Guidance System with Landmark X, Software, Medtronic, XOMED, Jacksonville, FL, USA) was also used. In all cases, correct localization and repair of the leak was achieved and no major complications occurred. Following a review of the literature, the Authors conclude that, at present, transnasal endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is the surgical treatment of choice when the techniques and materials are correctly used. Furthermore, preliminary findings indicate that it is possible to make routine use of the navigation systems and that this technology may be usefully employed, above all, in the management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Otolaryngology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy. gaetano.paludetti@rm.unicatt.it
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Paludetti
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Sergi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Rigante
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Campioni
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Galli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000517:prevention & control; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011300:Preoperative Care
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents