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J Neurol Surg Rep 2016; 77(02): e73-e76
DOI: 10.1055/s-0036-1582238
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Resolution of Chronic Aspiration Pneumonitis Following Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistula of the Skull Base

Justin Seltzer
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Arash Babadjouni
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Bozena B. Wrobel
2   Department of Otolaryngology, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, United States
,
Gabriel Zada
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Los Angeles, California, United States
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

12 August 2015

28 February 2016

Publication Date:
17 May 2016 (online)

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Abstract

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea due to a skull base defect requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Multiple surgical options are available for repairing the fistula, including the two-layer “fascial apposition” method and use of a pedicled nasal-septal flap. A 44-year-old obese woman presented with 4 months of progressive cough, exertional dyspnea, hoarseness, and intermittent fluid drainage from the right nostril. Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging and bronchoscopy showed chronic pneumonitis, which was confirmed by pulmonary wedge resection. CT and magnetic resonance imaging of the skull base, as well as laboratory analysis of the nasal fluid for β2-transferrin, confirmed a skull base defect causing CSF rhinorrhea. During surgery, insertion of a lumbar drain with the intrathecal fluorescein administration was performed, followed by endoscopic endonasal repair using an autologous fascial apposition graft and pedicled nasal-septal flap. Both the CSF leak and the pulmonary complications resolved following the operation with no symptoms at 11-month follow-up. This is the first reported case of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea complicated by chronic aspiration and pneumonitis. Increased diagnostic complexity due to chronic pulmonary complications resulted in unnecessary interventions and treatment delays. Prompt recognition of spontaneous CSF leaks is essential to prevent potentially harmful complications.

Keywords

cerebrospinal fluid - pneumonitis - endoscopic - endonasal - aspiration

Note

The authors report no conflict of interest concerning the materials or methods used in this study or the findings specified in this article. The contents of this article have not been published or presented previously.


 

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