A OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF ENDOSCOPIC REPAIR OF CSF RHINORRHOEA

Abstract

Background: Intrathecal fluorescein may be used to visualize CSF fistulas using a nasal endoscope. This allows the examiner to directly visualize the size of the defect, its location, and its rate of flow. The first repair of CSF leak was performed by Dandy in 1926 using a frontal craniotomy. This technique had a 60-80% success rate and was the gold standard for decades. In 1964Vrabec and Hallberg described the endonasal approach of CSF leak repair. AIMS: This study aims to establish the success rate of endoscopic surgical repair of CSF rhinorrhoca. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in Department of ENT IPGMER and SSKM Hospital. During the study period of 18 months, 30 patients have been admitted in our department with CSF leak (most of them were referred from neurosurgery). RESULTS: Fat and fascia lata and temporalis fascia were used to repair CSF leak in 24 patients. Bath plug technique was applied for 3 patients. Repair with vascularised flap such as Hadad flap or middle turbinate graft were used in case of 3 patients. CSF rhinorrhoea repair was successful in 28 out of 30(94%) patients after primary surgery whereas recurrence occurred in 2(6%) cases. Among them 1 patient underwent second surgery which achieved definitive closure of the leak. But one case lost follow up and did not come for second surgery. Interval between surgery and recurrence was varied and so were the causes. CONCLUSION: CSF rhinorrhoea cases can be repaired by an endoscopic approach with a high success rate. Radiological investigation of PNS and brain are equally important for selection of cases for endoscopic repair. Spontaneous leak must be checked cautiously to exclude features of raised ICT. Relapse occurs mainly for failure to delineate actual site or sites of leak and inadequate size or faulty placement of graft. Success depends not only on surgical skill but also on baseline intracranial tension, cause & site of leak and postoperative care.