Objective: To summarize the presentation, diagnosis, and management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks in the setting of traumatic anterior skull base fracture.
Methods: Wide literature research has been performed as well as the authors' own clinical experience has been summarized.
Results: Articles from the most recent 30 years have been reviewed and a typical case of our own has been presented. Based on the most updated evidence, a treatment algorithm for CSF leaks has been proposed.
Conclusion: Anterior skull base fracture accounts for about 4% of all head injuries and CSF leaks is a complication that commonly presents with clear fluid emanating from the nasal passage. A positive beta-2-transferrin study is highly specific for diagnosis, while thin-slice CT scanning and MRI cisternography are also useful tools. The majority of the CSF leaks tend to be resolved spontaneously, and conservative management is attempted first with or without the augmentation of a lumbar drain. Surgical management mainly includes open surgery and endoscopic surgery, which have their own pros and cons.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/01616412.2022.2066783 | DOI Listing |
AJNR Am J Neuroradiol
January 2025
From the Department of Neurosurgery (D.N., L.H., J.G., T.P., R.T.S., A.R., C.M.J.); Department of Neuroradiology (T.D., E.I.P.), Institute of Diagnostic and Interventional Neuroradiology, and Department of Neurology (C.S.), Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland. Department of Neurosurgery (J.B.), Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.
Background And Purpose: In patients diagnosed with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH), microspurs are considered the culprit lesion in most ventral dural leaks (type I). The imaging characteristics of discogenic spurs, and their prevalence in the general population has not been reported in the literature.
Materials And Methods: This observational case-control study was conducted comparing the prevalence and characteristics of discogenic microspurs between SIH patients with a type I leak treated at a tertiary hospital between 2013 and 2023 and an age-and sex matched cohort of trauma patients.
Brain Sci
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Via Manzoni 56, 20089 Rozzano, Italy.
: Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas remain a significant concern in spinal neurosurgery, particularly following dural closure. The incidence of dural tears during spinal surgery is estimated between 1.6% and 10%.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Department of Neurosurgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Suita, JPN.
Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage from skull base fractures increases the risk of bacterial meningitis, which is associated with a high mortality rate in adults, and commonly results in severe neurological outcomes. While most cases of CSF leakage occur within three months post-injury and generally resolve spontaneously, delayed-onset meningitis remains a challenging complication. Herein, we report a rare case of severe bacterial meningitis with an intraventricular abscess one year following a frontal skull base fracture, despite no CSF leak.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCureus
December 2024
Neurological Surgery, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle, USA.
A cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leak from the anterior skull base is a challenging neurosurgical issue that requires prompt recognition and treatment. Options for treatment include medical and surgical repair. A systematic review was performed screening for both retrospective and prospective clinical studies evaluating the efficacy of acetazolamide in the event of CSF leaks of the anterior skull base.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Otolaryngol
December 2024
Skull Base and Rhinology Department, Hospital Universitario Pedro Ernesto, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Skull Base and Rhinology Department, Policlinica de Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Objective: This study aimed to assess postoperative intracranial pressure in patients with clinical and/or radiological features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) undergoing endoscopic endonasal surgery for primary cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak repair.
Methods: Data was prospectively collected from 9 patients diagnosed with CSF nasal leaks who underwent corrective endonasal surgery between January 1, 2021, and October 31, 2022. Postoperative intracranial pressure was measured via lumbar puncture at least one month after surgery.
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