Sinonasal Cerebral Spinal Fluid (CSF)

Sinonasal CSF leaks most commonly occurs after head trauma. Patients may subsequently note clear fluid from one side of the nose when bending over. Occasionally patients develop meningitis years later as their presenting symptom.
 

Treatment of CSF Leaks

The management of CSF leaks also lends itself to a multidisciplinary approach as well. Most frequently a neurosurgeon is consulted to help with the pre- and intra-operative management.

In the majority of cases, no external incision is involved and the CSF leak can be managed using a transnasal endoscopic approach. The image guidance system is helpful here as well for identification of the CSF leak.

Once the leak is identified it is repaired using the patients tissue, most commonly bone and soft tissue from the nasal cavity. Typically, the patient stays in the hospital one or two nights, postoperatively.