[Endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid fistulas and clinic outcomes].

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of endoscopic repair of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas.

Patients And Methods: Between January 2005 and December 2012, 10 patients (7 females, 3 males; mean age 36.1 years; range 1 to 52 years) who were diagnosed with CSF fistulas in Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Ear Nose and Throat Clinic were retrospectively analyzed. Complaints of the patients on admission and the characteristics of CSF fistulas (etiology, location, and stage) were recorded. Treatment modalities based on the characteristics of CSF fistulas and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results: The etiology of the fistula was encephalocele in six, iatrogenic trauma following functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS) in three, and spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea in one patient. The mean follow-up was 32.4 months (range, 12 to 84 months) postoperatively. None of the patients had recurrent disease.

Conclusion: The endoscopic surgery is an effective modality with low morbidity and high success rate in the management of CSF fistulas.