Frontal sinus obliteration is often performed using fat, autologous bone or a range of synthetic materials. This paper reports the long-term clinical and radiological outcomes of frontal sinus obliteration using beta-tricalcium phosphate putty.

A retrospective audit was performed of patients who underwent frontal sinus obliteration with beta-tricalcium phosphate putty. Patient-, disease- and procedure-related data were collected. Pre- and post-operative computed tomography scans were reviewed to assess bone integration.

Four patients underwent frontal sinus obliteration using beta-tricalcium phosphate putty for treatment of a cerebrospinal leak, mucocele and recalcitrant frontal sinusitis. All patients had disease resolution, with no intra- or post-operative complications reported in the 16.5-month follow up. Post-operative computed tomography scans confirmed native bone obliteration of the frontonasal ducts in all patients.

Beta-tricalcium phosphate putty is a safe and effective option for bone obliteration of the frontal sinus in a range of pathologies, including cerebrospinal fluid leak.

The indications for expanded endoscopic transnasal approaches continue to increase, with more complex skull base defects needing to be repaired. This study reviews the management of large anterior skull base defects with opening of the sellar diaphragm.

A prospective analysis of endonasal endoscopic surgery carried out at Son Espases University Hospital between January 2013 and December 2018 was performed. The analysis included only the cases with a significative intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak. In all cases, reconstruction was performed by combining the gasket seal technique with a pedicled mucosal endonasal flap.

Twenty-eight patients were included. The mucoperiosteal nasoseptal flap, the lateral wall flap and the middle turbinate flap were used in 13, 8 and 7 patients, respectively, combined with the gasket seal technique. One case of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak was observed (3.57 per cent).

The combination of a gasket seal with an endonasal mucosal flap is an excellent technique for repairing large anterior skull base defects.

Prompted by a recurring skull base multidisciplinary team debate on the necessity of securing a definitive tissue diagnosis before initiating treatment for lesions of the orbital apex, a review of anterior skull base procedures over an 11-year period was undertaken.

Data collected prospectively on cases from 2006 to 2017 were analysed. Presenting symptoms, imaging and histology findings, outcomes, complications, and impact on treatment were evaluated. All surgery was carried out endoscopically with the aid of image guidance.

Twenty-one patients undergoing endoscopic orbital apex and/or optic canal biopsy were included. The mean patient age was 49 years. Five malignant tumours were identified, five benign tumours, seven infective cases (two tuberculosis and five fungal) and two cases of immunoglobulin G4 related disease. Two patients had non-diagnostic biopsies (one lesional) and were treated successfully as Tolosa–Hunt syndrome cases.

A successful diagnosis was achieved in nearly all cases without adverse impact, other than one cerebrospinal fluid leakage case. Management was directly influenced by the outcome in all cases.

To study the clinical outcomes of a posterior nasoseptal flap used in the endonasal reconstruction of anterior skull base defects.

The early harvested flap was used to reconstruct anterior skull base defects in patients with high-flow on-table cerebrospinal fluid leak. Post-operatively, the patients were analysed for cerebrospinal fluid leak and bleeding.

Of the 100 patients, 87 had macro defects while 13 had micro defects. Non-secretary lesions were present in 60 patients, while secretary lesions were present in 40 patients. Cerebrospinal fluid leak was present in all the patients undergoing surgery, and the majority of them had a lumbar drain fitted. Post-operatively, two patients experienced bleeding and only two patients had a cerebrospinal fluid leak.

The use of a posterior nasoseptal flap for reconstruction of the anterior skull base amongst patients with a high-flow intra-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak can help prevent post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak. Its applicability to wide patient profiles, with respect to age, size of defect and diagnosis, make it a versatile choice for reconstruction after endonasal anterior skull base surgical procedures.

Endoscopic endonasal techniques have recently become the method of choice in dealing with cerebrospinal fluid leak involving the anterior cranial fossa. However, most surgeons prefer an intracranial approach when leaks involve the middle cranial fossa. This case report illustrates the possibilities of using endoscopic techniques for cerebrospinal fluid leaks involving the middle fossa.

A 37-year-old male patient presented with multiple areas of cranial defect with cerebrospinal fluid leak due to osteoradionecrosis following radiation for nasopharyngeal carcinoma 4 years earlier. Clinical examination showed involvement of all cranial nerves except the IInd and XIth nerves on the left side. A prior attempt to repair the cerebrospinal fluid leak with craniotomy was not successful.

This case demonstrates the successful endoscopic repair of a large cranial defect with cerebrospinal fluid leak.

We wanted to present our experience with the extended endoscopic approach to clival pathology, focusing on cerebrospinal fluid leak and reconstruction challenges.

We examined a consecutive series of 37 patients undergoing the extended endoscopic approach for skull base tumours, 9 patients with clival pathology. Patients were examined for the incidence of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak in relation to tumour pathology, location, size, reconstruction and lumbar drain.

The overall incidence of post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak was 10.8 per cent. Seventy-five per cent of patients who had a post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak underwent a transclival approach (p < 0.05). All patients with clival pathology who underwent an intradural dissection had a post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak (p < 0.05).

Post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leak rates after the extended endoscopic approach have improved significantly after advancements including the vascularised nasoseptal flap. Despite this, transclival approaches continue to pose much difficulty. Further investigation is necessary to develop technical improvements that can meet the unique challenges associated with this region.

This retrospective study aimed to evaluate the effective closure rate for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks with functional endoscopic sinus surgery and identify patient characteristics that may be associated with a need for additional therapy.

A retrospective analysis of patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks was performed. Data on the nature of presentation, patient body mass index, defect location and size, intracranial pressure, clinical follow up, and complications were collected.

Twenty-five patients had spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks with evidence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The most common sites were the cribriform plate, followed by the ethmoid roof and sphenoid lateral pterygoid recess. All patients underwent endonasal endoscopic surgery to repair the defect. Post-operatively, all patients underwent lumbar drainage and acetazolamide therapy.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks represent a surgical challenge because of their high recurrence rates. The most important factor for obtaining a successful repair in these patients is reducing their intracranial pressure through nutritional, medical or surgical means.

Closure of spontaneous sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks can be challenging because of the relative inaccessibility of the lateral recess and the presence of intracranial hypertension. We present our experience of such cases and highlight factors associated with a successful outcome.

Eleven patients with spontaneous, laboratory confirmed, sphenoid sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks were included. All patients underwent endoscopic closure by either a three-layer technique or fat obliteration.

In all but one patient, the leak was successfully sealed (success rate, 90.9 per cent; mean follow up, 37.1 months). Elevated intracranial pressure was measured in eight patients, two of whom did not exhibit relevant clinical or radiological characteristics. Five patients received diuretics and dietary advice for weight reduction. In one patient with recurrence two weeks after repair, successful revision was performed by additional placement of a ventriculoperitoneal shunt (follow up, 67 months).

Long-lasting cerebrospinal fluid fistula sealing in the sphenoid sinus requires stable reconstruction of the defect in three layers or fat obliteration if the anatomy is unfavourable. All patients should be intra- and post-operatively screened for elevated intracranial pressure to identify those who need additional intracranial pressure reduction measures.

The majority of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks occur at the anterior skull base; few cases at the temporal bone have been described. There have been no previous reports of synchronous leaks at the anterior skull base and temporal bone in the same patient.

Case report and brief review of management of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks in the nose and ear.

A 34-year-old, pregnant woman presented with watery nasal discharge and unilateral middle-ear effusion. The nasal and ear secretions both proved to be cerebrospinal fluid. Radiological imaging showed defects in both the ethmoid roof and the mastoid roof (middle cranial fossa). These defects were surgically closed using duraplasties.

A literature review indicated that this is the first reported case of synchronous spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks via the anterior skull base and temporal bone.