Abstract Detailed outcome data for the management of anterior skull base fractures associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is lacking. We present detailed follow-up data of a single-center study using a predetermined algorithm for the management of CSF leakage secondary to traumatic fractures. A number of 138 consecutive patients were included in the analysis; all patients underwent high-resolution computed tomography (CT) scanning at time of admission with ?2-transferrin testing used to confirm CSF leakage. Patients with acute surgical indications were operated as emergent; leaks were repaired at the time of initial surgery in patients with intracranial pressure?<?15 cm H2O. The remainder of the study population was managed conservatively including use of prophylactic antibiotics; lumbar drainage (LD) catheters were placed in those patients with leakage persisting beyond 48 h. Leaks lasting longer than 5 days underwent microsurgical repair using an intradural bicoronal approach. One-year follow-up assessment included evaluation of neurological status, Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and repeat head CT. Twenty eight patients (26.9%) underwent emergent surgery, 15 of whom had simultaneous CSF leak repair, whereas 76 patients (73.1%) underwent delayed CSF leak repair between days 5 and 14. Postoperative meningitis rate was low (1.9%). Postoperative CSF leak (1.9%) was managed by intradural or transnasal endoscopic operation. Comparable rates of anosmia and frontal lobe hypodensities were seen in the surgical and conservatively managed subgroups. The presented algorithm, utilizing prophylactic antibiotics, trial of LD, acute and/or delayed intradural microsurgery, yields favorable outcomes. Large randomized controlled trials are needed to better define the role of prophylactic antibiotics and to better characterize the optimal timing and approach of surgical repair.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Category Original Article
- Pages 1-12
- DOI 10.1007/s10143-011-0352-3
- Authors
- Camillo Sherif, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Antonio Di Ieva, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Daniel Gibson, Department of Radiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
- Bita Pakrah-Bodingbauer, Department of Neurosurgery, KA Rudolfstiftung, Juchgasse 5, 1030 Vienna, Austria
- Georg Widhalm, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Irena Krusche-Mandl, Department of Traumatology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Jozsef Erdoes, Department of Traumatology, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Benjamin Gilloon, Department of Radiology, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, One Medical Center Drive, Lebanon, NH 03756, USA
- Christian Matula, Department of Neurosurgery, Medical University Vienna, Waehringer Guertel 18-20, 1090 Vienna, Austria
- Journal Neurosurgical Review
- Online ISSN 1437-2320
- Print ISSN 0344-5607
http://www.springerlink.com/content/7×86226120768777/
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