title: Endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid leak in paediatric patients.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In scientific literature exist fewer case series regarding endoscopic treatment of paediatric cerebrospinal fluid fistulas. Compared to craniotomy endoscopic repair does not reach wider consent even if craniotomy carries higher complications rate.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to report our institutional experience on paediatric cerebrospinal fluid leak to demonstrate the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic approach in a variety of cases.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical records of all paediatric patients who underwent endoscopic repair of anterior and middle fossa skull base defects are reviewed for several parameters.
  
  
  RESULTS
  10 patients were enrolled, 6 males and 4 females with a mean age of 10 years. The aetiology of the leak was congenital in 2 cases, trauma-induced in 6 cases and iatrogenic in 2 cases. In all the cases the defect was localized by computed tomography. Remedial was obtained using multiple grafts technique with autologous materials during a single procedure in all but one case, this one case requiring a second operation for delayed recurrence. The mean follow-up duration is 36 months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  CSF fistulas can be approached in paediatrics of any age with high success and low complications rate using the endonasal technique.
authors.affiliation: ENT and Otosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy. Electronic address: enzoemanuelli@libero.it.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Emanuelli
authors.affiliation: ENT and Otosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bossolesi
authors.affiliation: ENT and Otosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Borsetto
authors.affiliation: ENT and Otosurgery Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Padua, Padua, Italy.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Avella
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D065634:Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Endonasal approach; Endoscopic repair; Meningoencephalocele; Paediatric cerebrospinal fluid leak; Paediatric neurosurgery; Rhinorrhea