Bone Grafts Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Bone Grafts, including details on spine fusion, surgery, procedure, risks.

Cerebrospinal fluid leaks of temporal bone origin: etiology and management.

Stenzel M, Preuss S, Orloff L, Jecker P, Mann W

Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, School of Medicine, Mainz, Germany. stenzel@hno.klinik.uni-mainz.de

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks of the temporal bone region require surgical treatment as they pose life-threatening risks such as meningitis. AIM: The aim of the study was to determine the surgical outcome depending on different operation techniques and grafts. METHOD: We performed a retrospective review of 28 cases of CSF leaks, operated in our department from 1983 to 2002. After a mean follow-up of 8 years, patients were interviewed concerning otorrhea or rhinorrhea and meningitis. In this context, our management of CSF leaks is presented. RESULTS: The CSF leak had arisen spontaneously (n = 3), traumatically (n = 6) or postoperatively (n = 19). The surgical CSF leak repairs were performed via a transmastoid (n = 13), a middle fossa (n = 11) or a combined (n = 4) approach. Surgical outcome was independent on the used graft. CSF leak could be sealed in 25 of 28 cases. Only 3 patients suffered from recurrences. Meningitis or other complications did not occur. CONCLUSIONS: Comparing different techniques and grafts, there were no differences in the surgical outcome.

Published 6 April 2005 in ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec, 67(1): 51-5.
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