Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leakage Caused by a Rare Traumatic Clival Fracture

Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo). 2016;56(2):81-4. doi: 10.2176/nmc.cr.2015-0152. Epub 2016 Jan 22.

Abstract

An 89-year-old male presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea associated with head trauma sustained as a pedestrian in a traffic accident. Computed tomography (CT) showed pneumocephalus and multiple cranial bone fractures, including the clivus. Although the CSF rhinorrhea was treated conservatively for a week, clinical symptoms did not improve and surgical repair was performed. Preoperative thin-sliced bone CT and steady-state magnetic resonance images revealed a bone defect at the middle clivus and a collection of CSF fluid from the clival fistula in the sphenoid sinus. Endoscopic endonasal reconstruction was performed, and the 3-mm diameter dural tear and bone defect at the middle clivus were well visualized. The fistula was repaired using a pedicled nasoseptal mucosal flap. The CSF rhinorrhea completely disappeared as a result of the endoscopic endonasal surgery. The present report describes a rare case of CSF rhinorrhea caused by a traumatic clival fracture and surgical management by endoscopic endonasal surgery.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / etiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / surgery*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / etiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Multimodal Imaging
  • Skull Fractures / complications
  • Skull Fractures / diagnostic imaging
  • Skull Fractures / surgery*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed