Repair of middle fossa cerebrospinal fluid leaks using a novel combination of materials: technical note

2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. E8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cedric D. Shorter ◽  
David E. Connor ◽  
Jai Deep Thakur ◽  
Gale Gardner ◽  
Anil Nanda ◽  
...  

Object Methods for repairing middle fossa CSF (MFCSF) leaks have varied and yielded mixed results. The objective of this study was to evaluate the safety and durability of the authors' repair technique using a novel combination of 3 synthetic materials. Methods The authors performed a retrospective case review of patients treated for CSF leaks between January 2009 and September 2011. Eight patients were found to have undergone middle fossa craniotomies for CSF leaks. Inclusion criteria for the study included age greater than 18 years, neuroimaging-documented temporal bone defect, and symptoms consistent with CSF leaks or gross CSF otorrhea. Seven patients, 3 men and 4 women, met the inclusion criteria, and their charts were reviewed. Hydroxyapatite cement, collagen-based dural substitute matrix, and polyethylene glycol hydrogel sealant were used in all patients for the repair. Results In all patients the MFCSF leaks were successfully repaired. Initial presenting symptoms included CSF otorrhea in 4 patients (57.1%), hearing loss in 3 (42.9%), and CSF rhinorrhea in 1 (14.3%). The mean follow-up duration was 12 months (range 5–33 months). In 1 patient an epidural hematoma developed at the operative site on postoperative Day 2, and in another patient a superficial wound dehiscence occurred on postoperative Day 48. During the follow-up period, the authors found no evidence of wound infections, neurovascular damage, or CSF leakage requiring reoperation. Conclusions The middle fossa approach involving a combination of hydroxyapatite cement, collagen-based dural substitute matrix, and polyethylene glycol hydrogel sealant is a safe, effective method for repairing MFCSF leaks. The combination of synthetic materials provides an alternative to existing materials for skull base surgeons.

2013 ◽  
Vol 119 (1) ◽  
pp. 113-120 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sunil Manjila ◽  
Mark Weidenbecher ◽  
Maroun T. Semaan ◽  
Cliff A. Megerian ◽  
Nicholas C. Bambakidis

Object Several prophylactic surgical methods have been tried to prevent CSF leakage after translabyrinthine resection of acoustic neuroma (TLAN). The authors report an improvised technique for multilayer watertight closure using titanium mesh–hydroxyapatite cement (HAC) cranioplasty in addition to dural substitute and abdominal fat graft after TLAN. Methods The study was limited to 42 patients who underwent TLAN at University Hospitals Case Medical Center using this new technique from 2006 to 2012. Systematic closure of the surgical wound in layers using temporalis fascia, dural substitute, dural sealant, adipose graft, titanium mesh, and then HAC was performed in each case. Temporalis muscle and eustachian tube obliteration were not used. The main variables studied were patient age, tumor size, tumor location, cosmetic outcome, length of hospitalization, and the incidence of CSF leak, pseudomeningocele, and infection. Results Excellent cosmetic outcome was achieved in all patients. There were no cases of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea, incisional CSF leak, or meningitis. Cosmetic results were comparable to those achieved using HAC alone. This cost-effective technique used only a third of the HAC required for traditional closure in which the entire mastoid defect is filled with cement, predisposing to infection. Postoperative CT and MRI showed excellent bony contouring and dural reconstitution, respectively. Conclusions The authors report on successful use of titanium mesh–HAC cranioplasty in preventing postoperative CSF leak after TLAN in all cases in their series. The titanium mesh provides a well-defined anatomical dissection plane that would make reoperation easier than working through scarred soft tissue. The mesh bolsters the fat graft and keeps HAC out of direct contact with mastoid air cells, thereby reducing the risk of infection. The cement cranioplasty does not preclude subsequent implantation of a bone-anchored hearing aid.


2007 ◽  
Vol 106 (6) ◽  
pp. 1028-1033 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ghassan K. Bejjani ◽  
Joseph Zabramski ◽  
_ _

Object Dural substitutes are often needed after neurosurgical procedures to expand or replace dura mater resected during surgery. A new dural repair material derived from porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was evaluated in a prospective multicenter clinical study. Methods Between 2000 and 2003, 59 patients at five different institutions underwent dural reconstruction with the SIS dural substitute, with a minimum follow up of 6 months. The primary goals of the study were to assess the efficacy and safety of the SIS dural substitute according to the rate of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, infection, and meningitis. Chiari malformation Type I decompression (32 patients) and tumor resection (18 patients) were the most common procedures performed, with 81% of SIS grafts implanted in the posterior fossa or spine. There was one case of a CSF leak (1.7%), two cases of wound infection (3.4%), and no cases of bacterial meningitis (0%) in the 58 patients available for follow up. In both cases of wound infection, the SIS graft acted as a barrier to infection and was not removed. Intraoperatively, a watertight seal was achieved in all 59 cases. On follow-up imaging available in 27 patients there was no evidence of any adverse reaction to the graft or of cerebral inflammation. Conclusions The SIS dural substitute demonstrated substantial efficacy in these patients after a mean follow up of 7.3 ± 2.2 months. Rates of infection, CSF leakage, and meningitis were comparable to those reported for other dural substitute materials. A lack of adverse reactions to the graft, favorable safety profile, and clinical efficacy all point to the utility of this material as an alternative for dural repair.


2010 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 428-433 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason S. Weinstein ◽  
Kenneth C. Liu ◽  
Johnny B. Delashaw ◽  
Kim J. Burchiel ◽  
Harry R. van Loveren ◽  
...  

Object The DuraSeal dural sealant system, a polyethylene glycol hydrogel, has been shown to be safe and effective when used with commercial and autologous duraplasty materials. The authors report on the safety and effectiveness of this sealant when used in conjunction with nonautologous duraplasty materials. Methods In this retrospective, nonrandomized, multicenter study, the safety and efficacy of a dural sealant system was assessed in conjunction with primarily collagen-based nonautologous duraplasty materials in a sample of 66 patients undergoing elective cranial procedures at 3 institutions. This cohort was compared with 50 well-matched patients from the DuraSeal Pivotal Trial who were treated with this sealant system and autologous duraplasty material. Results The key end points of the study were the incidences of CSF leaks, surgical site infections, and meningitis 90 days after surgery. The incidence of postoperative CSF leakage was 7.6% in the study group (retrospective population) and 6.0% in the Pivotal Trial population. The incidence of meningitis was 0% and 4.0% in the retrospective and Pivotal Trial groups, respectively. There were no serious device-related adverse events or unanticipated adverse device effects noted for either population. Conclusions This study demonstrates that the DuraSeal sealant system is safe and effective when used for watertight dural closure in conjunction with nonautologous duraplasty materials.


2018 ◽  
Vol 129 (2) ◽  
pp. 425-429 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ben A. Strickland ◽  
Joshua Lucas ◽  
Brianna Harris ◽  
Edwin Kulubya ◽  
Joshua Bakhsheshian ◽  
...  

OBJECTIVECerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is among the most common complications following transsphenoidal surgery for sellar region lesions. The aim of this study was to review the authors’ institutional experience in identifying, repairing, and treating CSF leaks associated with direct endonasal transsphenoidal operations.METHODSThe authors performed a retrospective review of cases involving surgical treatment of pituitary adenomas and other sellar lesions at the University of Southern California between December 1995 and March 2016. Inclusion criteria included all pathology of the sellar region approached via a direct microscopic or endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach. Demographics, pathology, intraoperative and postoperative CSF leak rates, and other complications were recorded and analyzed. A literature review of the incidence of CSF leaks associated with the direct endonasal transsphenoidal approach to pituitary lesions was conducted.RESULTSA total of 1002 patients met the inclusion criteria and their cases were subsequently analyzed. Preoperative diagnoses included pituitary adenomas in 855 cases (85.4%), Rathke’s cleft cyst in 94 (9.4%), and other sellar lesions in 53 (5.2%). Lesions with a diameter ≥ 1 cm made up 49% of the series. Intraoperative repair of an identified CSF leak was performed in 375 cases (37.4%) using autologous fat, fascia, or both. An additional 92 patients (9.2%) underwent empirical sellar reconstruction without evidence of an intraoperative CSF leak. Postoperative CSF leaks developed in 26 patients (2.6%), including 13 (1.3% of the overall group) in whom no intraoperative leak was identified. Among the 26 patients who developed a postoperative CSF leak, 13 were noted to have intraoperative leak and underwent sellar repair while the remaining 13 did not have an intraoperative leak or sellar repair. No patients who underwent empirical sellar repair without an intraoperative leak developed a postoperative leak. Eight patients underwent additional surgery (0.8% reoperation rate) for CSF leak repair, and 18 were successfully treated with lumbar drainage or lumbar puncture alone. The incidence of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea in this series was compared with that in 11 other reported series that met inclusion criteria, with incidence rates ranging between 0.6% and 12.1%.CONCLUSIONSIn this large series, half of the patients who developed postoperative CSF rhinorrhea had no evidence of intraoperative CSF leakage. Unidentified intraoperative CSF leaks and/or delayed development of CSF fistulas are equally important sources of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea as the lack of employing effective CSF leak repair methods. Empirical sellar reconstruction in the absence of an intraoperative CSF leak may be of benefit following resection of large tumors, especially if the arachnoid is thinned out and herniates into the sella.


2012 ◽  
Vol 116 (4) ◽  
pp. 749-754 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wouter I. Schievink ◽  
Marc S. Schwartz ◽  
M. Marcel Maya ◽  
Franklin G. Moser ◽  
Todd D. Rozen

Object Spontaneous intracranial hypotension is an important cause of headaches and an underlying spinal CSF leak can be demonstrated in most patients. Whether CSF leaks at the level of the skull base can cause spontaneous intracranial hypotension remains a matter of controversy. The authors' aim was to examine the frequency of skull base CSF leaks as the cause of spontaneous intracranial hypotension. Methods Demographic, clinical, and radiological data were collected from a consecutive group of patients evaluated for spontaneous intracranial hypotension during a 9-year period. Results Among 273 patients who met the diagnostic criteria for spontaneous intracranial hypotension and 42 who did not, not a single instance of CSF leak at the skull base was encountered. Clear nasal drainage was reported by 41 patients, but a diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea could not be established. Four patients underwent exploratory surgery for presumed CSF rhinorrhea. In addition, the authors treated 3 patients who had a postoperative CSF leak at the skull base following the resection of a cerebellopontine angle tumor and developed orthostatic headaches; spinal imaging, however, demonstrated the presence of a spinal source of CSF leakage in all 3 patients. Conclusions There is no evidence for an association between spontaneous intracranial hypotension and CSF leaks at the level of the skull base. Moreover, the authors' study suggests that a spinal source for CSF leakage should even be suspected in patients with orthostatic headaches who have a documented skull base CSF leak.


2012 ◽  
Vol 32 (6) ◽  
pp. E2 ◽  
Author(s):  
Grace Lam ◽  
Vivek Mehta ◽  
Gabriel Zada

Object Spontaneous and medically induced CSF leaks are uncommonly associated with pituitary adenomas. The aim of this study was to further characterize the clinical scenarios most closely associated with this phenomenon. Methods A review of the literature was conducted to identify all cases of nonsurgical CSF leaks associated with pituitary adenomas. The authors aimed to identify associated risk factors and management strategies used to treat these tumors and repair the CSF leak site. Results Fifty-two patients with spontaneous or medically induced CSF leaks in the setting of a pituitary adenoma were identified from 29 articles published from 1980 through 2011. In 38 patients (73%), CSF rhinorrhea developed following initiation of medical therapy, whereas spontaneous CSF leakage developed as the presenting symptom in 14 patients (27%). The patients' mean age was 42.8 years (range 23–68 years). There were 35 males and 17 females. Forty-two patients (81%) had a prolactinoma, with the remaining patients having the following tumors: nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (6 patients), growth hormone–secreting adenoma (2 patients), mammosomatotroph cell adenoma (1 patient), and ACTH-secreting adenoma (1 patient). Infrasellar tumor invasion into the paranasal sinuses was specifically reported in 56% of patients. The medical agents associated with CSF leakage were dopamine agonists (97%) and somatostatin analogs (3%). The average time from initialization of medical treatment to onset of rhinorrhea was 3.3 months (range 3 days–17 months). Nonsurgical management was successful in 4 patients, including 1 who had successful resolution with a temporary lumbar drain. Forty-six patients (88%) underwent surgical intervention to treat the CSF leak and/or resect the tumor. In 2 patients, surgery was not performed due to medical contraindications or patient preference. Conclusions Nonsurgical development of CSF rhinorrhea may occur in the setting of pituitary adenomas, especially following favorable response of invasive prolactinomas to initiation of dopamine agonist therapy. Additional cases have been reported as the presenting symptom of a pituitary adenoma and are likely to be related to decreased tumor volume due to intrinsic infarction or hemorrhage, ongoing invasion, and/or increases in intracranial pressure. Surgical repair, preferentially via a transsphenoidal approach, is the recommended initial treatment for definitive repair of the CSF leak and achievement of maximal tumor resection.


2001 ◽  
Vol 59 (2A) ◽  
pp. 263-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ricardo Alexandre Hanel ◽  
Daniel Monte Serrat Prevedello ◽  
Alceu Correa ◽  
Affonso Antoniuk ◽  
João Cândido Araújo

We report the case of a young woman who presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea due to an undiagnosed and untreated pituitary adenoma. The tumor had extended well beyond sella turcica and caused bony erosion. The patient initially refused surgery and was treated with bromocriptine and a radiation therapy. CSF leakage did not improved and she was submitted to surgery by the transsphenoidal approach with removal of a tumor mass located in sphenoid sinus and sellar region. Origin of the leak was localized and repaired with fascia lata and a lumbar subarachnoid drain was left in place for 5 days. After 4 years she has normal serum PRL levels and no rhinorrhea. The management, complications and mechanisms involved in this rare condition are discussed.


1989 ◽  
Vol 100 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-105 ◽  
Author(s):  
James M. Chow ◽  
David Goodman ◽  
Mahmood F. Mafee

This study evaluates the ability of metrizamide computerized tomographic cisternography (MCTC) to delineate the site of leakage in patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. From 1981 to 1986, thirteen patients were examined by MCTC to localize the site of CSF leakage. A total of 17 studies were performed. Thirteen scans (76%) identified the site of CSF leakage. Nine of these scans were confirmed surgically. The other four scans were performed on patients who refused surgery. Of the 15 scans in patients with active CSF leaks, 13 (87%) were positive. Of the two patients with inactive CSF leaks, neither was positive. One patient is presented in whom MCTC was both diagnostic and therapeutic. In conclusion, MCTC has a high success rate in localizing the site of active CSF leaks.


Neurotrauma ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 93-102
Author(s):  
Omaditya Khanna ◽  
Tomas Garzon-Muvdi ◽  
Hermes Garcia ◽  
Richard F. Schmidt ◽  
James J. Evans ◽  
...  

Traumatic CSF leaks are reported to complicate 10–30% of skull base fractures. CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea may be clinically apparent but in patients with less obvious leaks, β‎2-transferrin evaluation is the most sensitive and specific confirmatory test to establish the diagnosis of CSF leakage. High-resolution CT effectively identifies the majority of skull base fractures and sites of CSF leakage. Adjunctive imaging modalities such as CT cisternography and magnetic resonance cisternography may be used for further evaluation. Most traumatic CSF leaks of the anterior cranial fossa resolve spontaneously with conservative management including bedrest, head elevation, and avoidance of activities that increase intracranial pressure. The risk of meningitis increases significantly with persistent CSF leakage beyond 1 week, and intervention in the form of CSF diversion or surgical closure of the leak should be pursued. Prophylactic antibiotics have not been shown to decrease the risk of meningitis in patients with traumatic CSF leaks.


2005 ◽  
Vol 84 (11) ◽  
pp. 700-706 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Leonetti ◽  
Sam Marzo ◽  
Douglas Anderson ◽  
Thomas Origitano ◽  
Daniel D. Vukas

We conducted a retrospective study of 51 cases of spontaneous transtemporal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in 48 adults who had presented to our tertiary care academic referral center between July 1, 1988, and June 30, 2002. All patients had undergone high-resolution temporal bone computed tomography, and 26 patients had undergone magnetic resonance imaging. All patients were treated with a middle fossa craniotomy to repair the CSF fistulae. During a mean follow-up of 4.9 years, 46 of the 48 patients (95.8%) had experienced a complete cessation of CSF leakage (49 of 51 cases [96.1%]). The 2 patients whose leakage recurred were successfully managed with a subtotal petrosectomy with occlusion of the eustachian tube and obliteration of the middle ear and mastoid. No patient developed meningitis.


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