Endoscopic endonasal surgery for recurrent cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

Abstract

Six patients presented a leakage at the posterior wall of the frontal sinus, 12 at the ethmoid roof, and 14 at the sphenoid roof. Four cases with a defect in the frontal sinus and frontal recess were repaired with the DRAF III procedure, four cases with a defect in the sphenoid lateral recess were repaired through transpterygoid intervention and under an image-guided navigation system, while the others were operated by routine endoscopic sinus surgery. No recurrence was found during the follow-up for 14-60 months (mean 36.8) in 31 cases, and 1 case with recurrence recovered well after further surgery.