Spontaneous Nasal Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repaired With Single-Layer Mucoperichondrial Graft: Long-term Results

Background: Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak (sCSFL) has been historically related to obesity and elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), with a lower rate of success of endoscopic repair reported in the literature. Moreover, defects related to this condition have been largely repaired with multilayer reconstructions and pedicled flaps. Long-term postoperative results have not been appropriately discussed yet. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the outcome of a cohort of patients treated with single-layer mucoperichondrial graft. Methods: A retrospective review of clinical records of a consecutive series of patients who underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery for sCSFL was carried out at a tertiary care referral center for skull base pathologies. All patients underwent reconstruction with single-layer mucoperichondrial free graft. Local flap failures and postoperative outcomes, in terms of recurrence of sCSFL or brain herniation, were registered. Results: Neither intraoperative nor perioperative complications were reported. Definitive closure was achieved in 27 of 29 (93%) patients after the first attempt, while in 2 cases, a revision surgery was required. In both of these, an inadequate position of the graft was detected and was repaired likewise with the same mucoperichondrial graft. None of the patients required postoperative lumbar drain placement. After a median follow-up period of 57 months, only 1 patient developed a meningocele without CSFL about 2 years after surgery at the contralateral lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus. None of the patients reported symptoms referable to elevated ICP nor underwent ventricular derivation. Conclusions: Single-layered mucoperichondrial free graft was safe and effective in the majority of the examined patients. In 7% of the study population, a surgical revision was necessary due to local failure of the graft. However, during long-term follow-up, only 1 case of recurrent meningocele without CSFL was reported in a patient who presented borderline ICP.