Cerebrospinal fluid leaks of temporal bone origin: etiology and management.
BACKGROUND
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of the temporal bone region require surgical treatment as they pose life-threatening risks such as meningitis.


OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to determine the surgical outcome depending on different operation techniques and grafts.


METHODS
We performed a retrospective review of 28 cases of CSF leaks, operated in our department from 1983 to 2002. After a mean follow-up of 8 years, patients were interviewed concerning otorrhea or rhinorrhea and meningitis. In this context, our management of CSF leaks is presented.


RESULTS
The CSF leak had arisen spontaneously (n = 3), traumatically (n = 6) or postoperatively (n = 19). The surgical CSF leak repairs were performed via a transmastoid (n = 13), a middle fossa (n = 11) or a combined (n = 4) approach. Surgical outcome was independent on the used graft. CSF leak could be sealed in 25 of 28 cases. Only 3 patients suffered from recurrences. Meningitis or other complications did not occur.


CONCLUSIONS
Comparing different techniques and grafts, there were no differences in the surgical outcome.
Stenzel
Mark
M
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mainz, Germany. stenzel@hno.klinik.uni-mainz.de
Preuss
Simon
S
Orloff
Lisa
L
Jecker
Peter
P
Mann
Wolf
W
D002558:Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D004388:Dura Mater; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008581:Meningitis / Q000517:prevention & control; D012008:Recurrence; D013701:Temporal Bone; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed