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Cerebrospinal fluid leakage—Reliable diagnostic methods
... The possibility of CSF leakage was considered by combining the above results with the Even with detailed closings, CSF leakage occurred in several patients, and the symptoms were clear otorrhea and rhinorrhea. Despite a suspected high false-positive rate [13], a glucose oxidase test was performed on patients with suspected CSF leakage. Since the glucose concentration in simple nasal secretions is usually approximately 10 mg/dL, it is easy to rule out whether CSF is admixed, and if the glucose concentration of the flowing fluid is more than 20 mg/dL, CSF leakage can be considered [14]. ...
... Even with detailed closings, CSF leakage occurred in several patients, and the symptoms were clear otorrhea and rhinorrhea. Despite a suspected high false-positive rate [13], a glucose oxidase test was performed on patients with suspected CSF leakage. Since the glucose concentration in simple nasal secretions is usually approximately 10 mg/dL, it is easy to rule out whether CSF is admixed, and if the glucose concentration of the flowing fluid is more than 20 mg/dL, CSF leakage can be considered [14]. ...
... The first and simplest test to assess CSF leakage is a glucose oxidase test because it is easy to carry out and not expensive. However, it is not recommended as a confirmatory test due to its high false-positive and false-negative rates [13]. This is because glucose can be detected in normal nasal secretions or tears, in the respiratory tract of diabetics, in stress-induced hyperglycemic conditions, and in nasal epithelial inflammation due to the common cold [15]. ...
(1) Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is one of the most common complications of microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery. Before fatal complications, such as intracranial infection, occur, early recognition and prompt treatment are essential. (2) Methods: The clinical data of 475 patients who underwent MVD surgery from September 2020 to March 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. In these patients, if there were any symptoms of CSF leakage, and if CSF leakage was evident, a lumbar drainage catheter was inserted immediately. (3) Results: CSF leakage was suspected in 18 (3.8%) patients. Five of these patients (1.1%) showed signs of CSF leakage during conservative management and subsequently underwent catheter insertion for lumbar drainage. The lumbar drain was removed after an average of 5.2 days, resulting in an average hospitalization of 14.8 days. In all 5 patients, CSF leakage was resolved without reoperation. (4) Conclusions: Our treatment strategy prevented the development of fatal complications. Close observation of the symptoms and postoperative temporal bone computed tomography and audiometry are considered to be good evaluation methods for all patients. If CSF leakage is certain, it is important to perform lumbar drainage immediately.
... Headache is a common symptom that typically accompanies a cerebrospinal fluid leak. However, not all patients with a cerebrospinal fluid leak have an associated headache [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20]. ...
... The glucose oxidase test is inexpensive, rapid, and easy to perform; however, both the sensitivity and specificity of the test are low secondary to false positives (when there is bacterial contamination) and false negatives (in diabetic patients). Although the beta-trace protein test is highly sensitive, rapid (taking only 20 minutes to perform on a nephelometer), and inexpensive; yet, the diagnostic usefulness is limited not only by associated problems with assessing accurate cut-off values but also by increased serum and decreased cerebrospinal fluid beta-trace protein values are observed in a patient with renal insufficiency and bacterial meningitis [14,15]. ...
... Yet, a new platform for the detection of beta-2 transferrin has been developed that enables the rapid identification of cerebrospinal fluid leakage. None of these tests were needed to be performed to confirm the cerebrospinal fluid leak in the reported patient after the evaluation of his magnetic resonance imaging [14,16]. ...
Lumbar spinal stenosis, a narrowing of the spinal canal around the spinal neurovascular structures, is a common etiology for lower back and leg pain in older people. Sciatica, a frequent symptom of lumbar spinal stenosis, typically presents with sharp and/or aching pain that originates in the buttock, extends to the thigh, and radiates into the foot and toes; in addition, it can be accompanied by weakness of the associated lower extremity. In individuals with sciatica-related persistent symptoms or functional limitations or both, spinal decompression surgery may be necessary. A cerebrospinal fluid leak is a potential complication of lumbar spinal stenosis surgery; it is frequently--yet not always--accompanied by a postural headache. The cerebrospinal fluid leak can result from an intraoperative tear or postoperatively. Albeit a more common adverse event after body contouring surgery, seroma--a postoperative serous fluid collection that is usually detectable as a palpable or visible fluid wave on clinical examination--has also been observed as a complication following lumbar spinal stenosis surgery. A man who experienced an intra-operative accidental dural tear during lumbar spinal stenosis surgery is described. A large cerebrospinal fluid leak that involved both the laminectomy bed and the subcutaneous tissue of his back subsequently developed; the leak eventually presented as duro-cutaneous fistulas without headache. His doctors misinterpreted the cerebrospinal fluid leak as a seroma; this may have occurred since not only did the color of the persistent and continuously dripping fluid varied from being clear to slightly tinged pink, but also the patient never had a headache or any other symptoms associated with a cerebrospinal fluid leak. When his lower back was appropriately evaluated with magnetic resonance imaging, the diagnosis of a large cerebrospinal fluid leak was established. In conclusion, lumbar spinal stenosis back surgery can be associated with postoperative complications, including cerebrospinal fluid leak and--less frequently--seroma. However, following lumbar spinal stenosis surgery, the absence of a headache does not exclude the possibility of a cerebrospinal fluid leak. Also, the presence of fluid leaking from the surgical site after lumbar spinal stenosis back surgery should not only prompt the clinician to entertain the possibility of a surgery-associated cerebrospinal fluid leak but also to obtain additional diagnostic studies--such as magnetic resonance imaging--to establish the diagnosis.
... Most frequently, patients with rhinorrhea may present intermittent discharge of clear fluid from the nose, often changing with the patient's position [10][11][12][13]. The presentation typically occurs early, with most cases manifesting within the first 48 hours after the trauma or neurosurgical intervention [11,12]. ...
... Most frequently, patients with rhinorrhea may present intermittent discharge of clear fluid from the nose, often changing with the patient's position [10][11][12][13]. The presentation typically occurs early, with most cases manifesting within the first 48 hours after the trauma or neurosurgical intervention [11,12]. It is possible to present later, but rhinorrhea beyond a year is rare [14]. ...
Rhinorrhea is a possible complication after different types of traumatic brain injury or neurosurgical procedures, such as skull base operations. Pneumocephalus is a rarely noted complication after severe traumatic brain injury, and it may be accompanied by meningitis and ventriculitis, especially when treatment has been delayed. Treatment of these entities includes conservative and surgical approaches. Pneumocephalus may result in neurologic disturbances threatening a life. Therefore, active patient management with a multidisciplinary team is required to prevent poor outcomes. In the literature, limited cases of rhinorrhea and pneumocephalus are available, including in our country. Pneumocephalus may also occur spontaneously. In 2015, Pishbin et al. identified 10 cases of spontaneous pneumocephalus. The precise incidence of diffuse pneumocephalus after traumatic brain injury is unknown, reported as <1% of cases with rare complications. In this case, a 41-year-old male patient presented at a tertiary university hospital with the chief complaint of headache. A month prior to admission, the patient was discharged from another hospital with multiple skull and facial fractures, pneumocephalus, and traumatic subarachnoid hemorrhage in the left frontal lobe due to fights (Le Fort III). During the second hospitalization, the patient’s clinical status deteriorated. A repeated brain CT demonstrated diffuse pneumocephalus. Rhinorrhea was still present. The external lumbal drainage procedure was performed without stopping the cerebrospinal fluid leak. In children, pediatric inferior turbinate hypertrophy is a frequent cause of nasal breathing difficulties. In this case, no such hypertrophy was observed. It should be considered a nasal obstructive disease not necessarily related to adult entities, frequently associated with other nasal or craniofacial disorders. Early diagnosis and endoscopic management of rhinorrhea, nasal obstruction, and associated complications is vital, as delays can lead to life-threatening issues like hydrocephalus/meningitis. Eventually, the patient developed meningitis and acute communicating hydrocephalus. Right ventriculostomy with a programmable ventriculoperitoneal shunt placement was done (pressure 110 cm H2O), stopping the rhinorrhea. This is an extremely rare case where a patient, after cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, develops severe complications, including pneumocephalus, meningitis, ventriculitis, and acute communicating hydrocephalus. In the literature, we did not come across case reports presenting all the complications as in this case. This case report will raise knowledge and awareness of such entities, adding to the rare, similar cases reported so far.
... The most common technique used in a clinical laboratory is immunofixation electrophoresis. This study results in excellent sensitivity (84%) and specificity (100%) with high positive (100%) and negative (95%) predictive values [8]. In the case of beta-trace protein, which is the most abundant CSF protein, it can be detected with a nephelometric assay that based on antigen-antibody complexes reactions. ...
... Results are typically available within 20 minutes and require relatively small (200 μL) sample volumes. However, cut-off values for beta-trace protein vary widely (0.35-6 mg/ L) [8]. Risch et al. [9] used receiver operating characteristic curve analysis in patients with suspected CSF leakage. ...
Objective: In posterior fossa surgery such as microvascular decompression (MVD), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is a crucial problem. In this study, we explored the accurate diagnosis and effective non-surgical management of postoperative CSF leakage.Methods: We reviewed 749 patients who underwent MVD surgery from August 2018 to April 2022. Although we significantly reduced the CSF leakage problem by using the triple-layer closing technique (TLCT), CSF leakage was still a problem in a few cases. We managed these patients with the same diagnostic flow and treatment regimen using a lumbar drain (LD).Results: Among the 749 patients in the cohort, 11 (1.4%) had CSF leakage, and each of those cases presented with rhinorrhea. Five patients (45.5%) had the symptom on the first day, two patients (18.2%) on the second day, one patient (9.1%) on the third day, and three patients (27.3%) on the fifth day after surgery. After conservative treatment including CSF drainage via LD for 5.4 days on average, none of the patients had recurrent symptoms suggesting CSF leakage; thus, there was no need for wound repair surgery.Conclusion: Despite diligent attempts to prevent CSF leakage in open microsurgery, leaks inevitably occur in some cases and are more frequent in posterior fossa surgery. Although we cannot fully prevent leakage, we should limit the complication to ensure that it does not progress into other severe problems, such as meningitis. A closing technique such as TLCT is useful, but the early diagnosis and management of CSF leakage with LD is also important.
... Gass et al. had suggested direct laminectomy with suturing of dural tears in 1972 in one of the case reports [6]. Lumbar puncture drainage is used as a treatment of choice in CSF leak while operating large thoracic meningocele successfully by Kim et al. [8]. The neuraminidase activity of brain produces beta-2-transferrin which is a protein variant. ...
... Therefore, sensitivity and specificity of detection of beta-2-transferring levels in CSF are very high in comparison with other tests [3]. Glucose detection test for diagnosis of CSF lean is not recommended as bacterial contamination and patients know to have diabetes may provide false readings [8]. Pre-operative analysis of each muscle responsible for diagnosis of root avulsion is very essential and one cannot be relied on CT myelography or MRI findings suggestive of pseudomeningocele [9]. ...
Introduction:
Formation of meningocele in brachial plexus injury is known and can be diagnosed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It is mainly reported in brachial plexus root avulsion injuries and does not require specific treatment. We report accurate diagnosis and management of dreadful complication due to rupture of meningocele post-brachial plexus exploration.
Case report:
A 23-year-old engineer presented at 4 months post-bike accident right side extended brachial plexus injury involving C5, C6, and C7. On MRI, he had meningocele in C6-7 root region. We performed supraclavicular exploration of brachial plexus and distal nerve transfers for shoulder abduction and elbow flexion. During surgery, the meningocele was ruptured. As the cyst was deep and extending toward apex of lung, the diagnosis of fluid drained had to be distinguished from pleural fluid with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). We found hemo-glucose test and beta-2-transferrin levels are mandatory to confirm the diagnosis. Post-surgery, the patient had drainage of almost 500 cc of CSF from wound every day for 3 days. This was managed by repeat MRI and finally lumbar puncture drainage helped to seal the meningocele in neck.
Conclusion:
Meningocele in brachial plexus injury is common but rupture of cyst can be fatal. To confirm the origin of fluid, beta-2-transferin level is more specific test than the hemo-glucose test. Lumbar puncture and drainage away from neck can be more reliable modality of treatment in case of intraoperative rupture of such cysts if drainage is excessive postoperatively.
... Protein β2-transferrin examination is a gold standard confirmation of a diagnosis of CSF. 12 In our case, it was done that had the chemical characteristics of CSF. The best methods of determination between a traumatic or neoplastic lesion and also localization of the bone defect are high resolution computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging. ...
... Our patient was diagnosed, based on clinical examination and MRI, which showed the site of leak tumor clearly. 10,12 Therefore, performing biochemical tests with radiologic studies at the same time is essential for diagnosis and guide management. One of the most important complications of conservative management of CSF leaks is bacterial meningitis, so surgical closure of the dehiscence is the preferred treatment to prevent ascending meningitis. ...
Brain tumors are the rarest cause of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Non-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is also a relatively rare condition. It may be misdiagnosed as allergic rhinitis or chronic sinusitis and lead to unsuitable treatment. We described a 34-yearold man who came to our allergy clinic with a chief complaint of clear rhinorrhea from his left nostril with more than four years of duration. Only hypertrophy of left inferior concha was found in the clinical examination. His rhinorrhea aggravated when bending forward. So we were suspicious of CSF rhinorrhea.MRI was done for him and demonstrated a large tumor in the pineal region. The patient underwent surgery with resection of the mass via an infratentorial-supracerebellar approach. This case showed the role of maintaining differential diagnosis for a common complaint; rhinitis which is seen as usual.
... In non-operative management of spontaneous CSF leaks, acetazolamide can be given; alternatively, we can pursue surgical options in case of failure. [13] Surgical interventions can be classified into extracranial and intracranial interventions. Intracranial intervention carries a significant probability of morbidity as well as a failure chance of over one-fifth. ...
The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a physiological fluid that functions to protect the brain tissue and maintain intracranial pressure. Defects between the subarachnoid spaces and other spaces can cause CSF leaks. We report the case of a 37-year-old female with no known past medical history who presented to the emergency department with a history of headaches for two months, nasal drip for 1.5 months, and recurrent fevers. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension was confirmed by cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and transnasal endoscopic repair of a CSF leak defect, and an abdomen fat graft was performed followed by an Axium navigation-guided right ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS).
... По мнению M. Mantur et al. [21], необходимым условием для верификации и подтверждения НЛ является определение наличия в назальном секрете β 2 -трансферрина и β-TP. Заметим, что данные пробы также не лишены недостатков. ...
A modern approach to the complex diagnosis of liquorrhea, both transcranial and nasal, is considered. The terminology and the most common and used variants of classification of liquorrhea are given. An epidemiology and causes of liquorrhea according to the modern literature are described. The history of the study of cerebrospinal fluid and various methods of its study are briefly presented. Special attention is paid to the review of modern methods of diagnosis of liquorrhea which were described in the literature. Both simple samples of «halo-test» and «handkerchief» and high-tech endoscopic methods of visual diagnostics are considered. The data of various authors on the effectiveness of intrathecal administration of fluorescein, indigocarmin and other dyes is presented, their shortcomings are noted. The methods of laboratory diagnosis of liquorrhea by determining the level of glucose, protein and specific for cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers β -transferrin and β-TP are described. The role of neuroimaging methods of examination, such as multispiral computer tomography, cisternography, magnetic resonance imaging and radionuclide studies, in the diagnosis of liquorrhea was determined. Based on the analysis of the literature data and their own experience, the authors present an improved algorithm of complex diagnosis of liquorrhea, including the collection of complaints and anamnesis of the disease, general laboratory diagnostic complex, objective examination (including rhinoscopy), consultations by other specialists, bedside methods of diagnosis of liquorrhea, laboratory methods of verification of cerebrospinal fluid and radiation diagnostic techniques.
... Traumatic CSF leakage occurs in 2% of all pediatric TBIs and in 12-30% of cases with skull base fractures and is most common in calcaneal fractures of the frontal sinus, ethmoid sinus, and temporal bone. Traumatic CSF leakage is very rare in children because the skull is flexible and the sinuses are un- derdeveloped 9,20) . The development of CSF rhinorrhea is possible through the frontal, ethmoid, and sphenoid sinus pathways. ...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health issue that causes significant morbidity and mortality in the pediatric population. Pediatric minor TBIs are the most common and are widely underreported because not all patients seek medical attention. The specific management of these patients is distinct from that of adult patients because of the different physiologies in these age groups. This article focuses on minor TBIs, particularly growing skull fractures, traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leakage, and concussion.
... If this fails, then surgery is done. Conservative treatment of cerebrospinal fluid leakage involves the use of acetazolamide followed by extended bed rest with head elevation, which may cause the intracranial pressure to decrease [12]. As employed in our case, surgical intervention may involve either an extracranial/endoscopic approach or an intracranial approach. ...
Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) leakage results from a defect in the skull base, which communicates the subarachnoid space with the nasal cavity. The most common cause of CSF leakage is traumatic, and non-traumatic causes are less common. This case report illustrates a case of a woman who presented to the emergency department with clear fluid pouring from her nose for three weeks with a fever. The patient had pneumococcal meningitis and Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (ICH) seven years ago. Computed Tomography (CT) sinuses showed the defect seen on the right side of the cribriform plate, and the Magnetic Resonant Imaging (MRI) confirmed the CSF leakage. The CSF leakage was diagnosed by positive B transferrin.
This case highlights a rare condition that needs early detection and treatment to prevent complications such as ascending meningitis.
... However, with high rates of bacterial contamination associated with penetrating injuries, the outcomes of the initial surgeries were poor. As the availability of widespread antibiotics has evolved, the safety of craniotomy for removal of foreign body and closure of dural defect has improved dramatically [8]. Penetrating injuries of the orbit and nasal sinuses due to foreign bodies are rare. ...
Background:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the nose (rhinorrhea) or the ear (otorrhea) are common with traumatic brain injuries. CSF leak from the orbital roof (ophthalmorrhea) is something rare and warrants further discussion.
Case:
We present a unique case of CSF leak from the orbital roof proceeded by three days history of trauma to the orbit.
Discussion:
Using the clinical case, we discuss unique aspects of the clinical picture, radiological findings of interest, and the surgical procedure for repair.
... However, with high rates of bacterial contamination associated with penetrating injuries, the outcomes of the initial surgeries were poor. As the availability of widespread antibiotics has evolved, the safety of craniotomy for removal of foreign body and closure of dural defect has improved dramatically [8]. Penetrating injuries of the orbit and nasal sinuses due to foreign bodies are rare. ...
Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak from the nose (rhinorrhea) or the ear (otorrhea) are common with traumatic brain injuries. CSF leak from the orbital roof (ophthalmorrhea) is something rare and warrants further discussion. Case: We present a unique case of CSF leak from the orbital roof proceeded by three days history of trauma to the orbit. Discussion: Using the clinical case, we discuss unique aspects of the clinical picture, radiological findings of interest, and the surgical procedure for repair.
... Methods reported to diagnose CFL include b2-transferrin testing, glucose rhinorrhea content analysis, high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and cisternography (11)(12)(13). However, these methods are inconvenient and carry a certain risk of misdiagnosis (14,15). Pneumocephalus is a common clinical manifestation of CFL (16). ...
We aimed to study the relationship between pneumocephalus on non-contrast CT (NCCT) and post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leakage (p-CFL) after endoscopic transsphenoidal sellar and suprasellar tumor surgeries. Data from patients who underwent endoscopic treatment for sellar or suprasellar tumors from January 2018 to March 2020 were consecutively collected and reviewed. The NCCT pneumocephalus (NP) was measured the first day after operation and the first day after the expansive sponge was extracted. p-CFL was determined according to post-operative clinical symptoms, high resolution CT and glucose test, and expert consensus. Of the 253 patients enrolled in this study, 32 (12.6%) had p-CFL. Compared with patients without p-CFL, patients with p-CFL had a higher occurrence of intra-operative CFL, a longer operation time, a higher rate of pneumocephalus on first-day NCCT after operation (i.e., first-day NP), and a higher rate of NP volume change between two NCCT measurements (referred to as the NP change) (all p < 0.05). In multivariate regression analysis, first-day NP was independently associated with p-CFL occurrence [odds ratio (OR)=6.395, 95% confidence interval (CI)=2.236-18.290, p=0.001). After adding the NP change into the regression model, first-day NP was no longer independently associated with p-CFL, and NP change (OR = 19.457, 95% CI = 6.095–62.107, p<0.001) was independently associated with p-CFL. The receiver operating characteristic curve comparison analysis showed that NP change had a significantly better predicting value than first-day NP (area under the curve: 0.988 vs. 0.642, Z=6.451, p=0.001). NP is an effective imaging marker for predicting p-CFL after endoscopic sellar and suprasellar tumors operation, and the NP change has a better predicting value.
... The available and commonly used methods for diagnosing a CSF leak have some limitations. Some tests, such as glucose testing, are unreliable (23,24). Both beta trace protein Albaharna et al. ...
Objective:
This study evaluates the available evidence regarding using topical intranasal fluorescein (TINF) to diagnose and localize nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak.
Methods:
A literature search was conducted through PubMed, the Cochrane Database, Scopus, and Ovid to identify the articles providing insight into using TINF to diagnose CSF leak preoperatively or to localize the leak intraoperatively. The articles from the database were screened and filtered by two authors according to the selection criteria. A spreadsheet was created to collect the data including demographic characteristics, the sensitivity and specificity of TINF for diagnosing and localizing a CSF leak, the protocol of applying TINF, and the complications.
Results:
After excluding duplicates and articles that did not meet our selection criteria, we included five reports in the final analysis. The average age of the 94 participants was 39.5, and there was an equal distribution of males and females. The sensitivity of TINF to make a preoperative diagnosis of CSF leak was 100%, and it was 97% to localize the site intraoperatively. Complications associated with TINF were not reported in any of the reports. This review showed a grade C recommendation based on five case series.
Conclusion:
Based on the current evidence, TINF cannot be recommended for standard clinical practice. It can, however, be considered in situations where other gold standard tools are unavailable since it is feasible and easy to use. A standardized control trial should be conducted to yield additional unbiased evidence.
... The cardinal symptom is the leak of clear and watery drainage from the nose with a positional dependency that is evident with head elevation and neck flexion or (if patient is awake) patient complaint of a salty postnasal drip. 6 The next step is to determine if there is CSF rhinorrhea and where does it come from. Easy maneuvers can be made to determine if there is a CSF leak: when CSF is mixed with blood, it produces 2 rings visible on the filter paper (target or halo sign); the glucose oxidized test from nasal secretions is a classical method in testing CSF leak, 7 and it uses glucose oxidase strips that show positive result when the sample has a concentration over 20 mg/dL, knowing that nasal discharge has a normal concentration of <10 mg/dL of glucose. ...
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage caused by skull base fracture represents high risks of bacterial meningitis, and a rate of mortality of 8.9%. Endoscopic endonasal repair of CSF leaks is quite safe and effective procedure with high rates of success. The aim of this study is to describe our technique for management of skull base CSF leaks secondary to craniofacial trauma based on the anatomic location of the leak. This is a retrospective case series of 17 patients with diagnosis of craniofacial trauma, surgically treated with sole endonasal endoscopic and combined endonasal/transcranial approaches with diagnosis of CSF leak secondary to skull base fractures. Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Mean age was 46 years old. Most common etiology was motor vehicle. Early surgery was performed in 8 patients, and late surgery in 9 patients. The most common site of CSF leak was at ethmoid cells or at the fronto-ethmoid junction in 9 patients. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were treated only with endonasal endoscopic technique, and 4 (23.5%) with hybrid surgery, combining endonasal endoscopic and cranial bicoronal approaches with nasal and pericranial vascularized flaps, and nasal mucosal free flaps. Mean hospital stay was 23.7 days. The mean follow-up time was 25.6 months. When surgical reconstruction is indicated for CSF leaks secondary to skull base fractures, endonasal endoscopic techniques should be part of the surgical management either as a sole procedure, or in combination with classical transcranial approaches with high rates of success and low morbidity.
... The cardinal symptom is the leak of clear and watery drainage from the nose with a positional dependency that is evident with head elevation and neck flexion or (if patient is awake) patient complaint of a salty postnasal drip. 6 The next step is to determine if there is CSF rhinorrhea and where does it come from. Easy maneuvers can be made to determine if there is a CSF leak: when CSF is mixed with blood, it produces 2 rings visible on the filter paper (target or halo sign); the glucose oxidized test from nasal secretions is a classical method in testing CSF leak, 7 and it uses glucose oxidase strips that show positive result when the sample has a concentration over 20 mg/dL, knowing that nasal discharge has a normal concentration of <10 mg/dL of glucose. ...
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage caused by skull base fracture represents high risks of bacterial meningitis, and a rate of mortality of 8.9%. Endoscopic endonasal repair of CSF leaks is quite safe and effective procedure with high rates of success. The aim of this study is to describe our technique for management of skull base CSF leaks secondary to craniofacial trauma based on the anatomic location of the leak. This is a retrospective case series of 17 patients with diagnosis of craniofacial trauma, surgically treated with sole endonasal endoscopic and combined endonasal/transcranial approaches with diagnosis of CSF leak secondary to skull base fractures. Seventeen patients met inclusion criteria for this study. Mean age was 46 years old. Most common etiology was motor vehicle. Early surgery was performed in 8 patients, and late surgery in 9 patients. The most common site of CSF leak was at ethmoid cells or at the fronto-ethmoid junction in 9 patients. Thirteen patients (76.4%) were treated only with endonasal endoscopic technique, and 4 (23.5%) with hybrid surgery, combining endonasal endoscopic and cranial bicoronal approaches with nasal and pericranial vascularized flaps, and nasal mucosal free flaps. Mean hospital stay was 23.7 days.
The mean follow-up time was 25.6 months. When surgical reconstruction is indicated for CSF leaks secondary to skull base fractures, endonasal endoscopic techniques should be part of the surgical management either as a sole procedure, or in combination with classical transcranial approaches with high rates of success and low morbidity.
... The qualitative diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea is relatively simple,compared with the determination of sugar content [2,3] , the determination of beta-transferrin [4] , is more sensitive and speci c. However, the di culty lies in the determination of the location of CSF leakage, which is of great signi cance to clinical decisionmaking. ...
Background: Dural and bony defects mostly occur in the same position in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea of anterior cranial base fractures, and a few cases of delayed CSF leakage after repair are also reported.
Case presentation: We report a case in which a pedicled temporoparietal fascial flap was used to repair the comminuted fracture of the anterior skull base with CSF leakage. Delayed CSF leakage occurred 45 days after the operation. A minimally invasive approach through an eyebrow incision was performed for reoperation, it was found that the bony defect was located in the right frontal sinus and the dural defect was located in the right ethmoid plate.
Conclusions: This case suggests that delayed traumatic CSF rhinorrhea after reconstructive surgery is more complex than usual, and appropriate approach should be adopted to repair the dural and bony defects, the transeyebrow approach is a good choice.
... However, detecting the presence of glucose in secretions is not recommended as a confirmatory test due to low diagnostic specificity and sensitivity and due to false-negative results in the case of bacterial contamination or false-positive results in diabetic patients [7]. Therefore, detection of glucose in CSF rhinorrhea cannot be used on its own to diagnose a CSF leak and requires concurrent clinical and radiographic evidence [9]. ...
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea refers to the loss of CSF through the nasal cavity. Its
causes can be classified as either spontaneous or non-spontaneous. Spontaneous causes of CSF
rhinorrhea include congenital anatomical defects and are extremely rare, accounting for less
than 4% of reported cases. Following failure of conservative management, definitive treatment
most commonly involves an endoscopic transsphenoidal repair of the defect. We present a case
of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea in a previously well 52-year-old female, which required surgical
intervention due to failure of conservative management.
... While the presence of glucose in secretion indicates that liquids contain CSF, the glucose oxidase test has poor positive predictive value for CSF detection. [2] Therefore, the presence of beta-2 transferrin is considered as the gold standard test. [3] In addition, CSF leakage sites may be localized with high-resolution, noncontrast CT as our case with 70% sensitivity. ...
A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a rare complication after orbital surgery. We reported a 49-year-old man who presented with CSF leakage after transcaruncular medial wall decompression for proptosis due to thyroid eye disease. He underwent an endoscopic endonasal approach to surgical repair of the defect with nasoseptal flap. Rhinorrhea was stopped immediately after endoscopic repair.
... The qualitative diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea is relatively simple,compared with the determination of sugar content [2,3] , the determination of beta-transferrin [4] , is more sensitive and speci c. However, the di culty lies in the determination of the location of CSF leakage, which is of great signi cance to clinical decisionmaking. ...
Background：Dural and bony defects mostly occur in the same position in the cerebrospinal fluid（CSF）rhinorrhea of anterior cranial base fractures,and a few cases of delayed CSF leakage after repair are also reported.
Case presentation：We report a case in which a pedicled temporoparietal fascial flap was used to repair the comminuted fracture of the anterior skull base with CSF leakage. Delayed CSF leakage occurred 45 days after the operation.A minimally invasive approach through an eyebrow incision was performed for reoperation,it was found that the bony defect was located in the right frontal sinus and the dural defect was located in the right ethmoid plate.
Conclusions:This case suggests that delayed traumatic CSF rhinorrhea after reconstructive surgery is more complex than usual,and appropriate approach should be adopted to repair the dural and bony defects , the transeyebrow approach is a good choice.
... Detection of glucose is of little value to prove or rule out CSF leakage [113]. Other CSF proteins such as cystatin C or transthyretin are less suitable for detecting CSF fistula (Table 21). ...
Introduction:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis is important for detecting inflammation of the nervous system and the meninges, bleeding in the area of the subarachnoid space that may not be visualized by imaging, and the spread of malignant diseases to the CSF space. In the diagnosis and differential diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases, the importance of CSF analysis is increasing. Measuring the opening pressure of CSF in idiopathic intracranial hypertension and at spinal tap in normal pressure hydrocephalus constitute diagnostic examination procedures with therapeutic benefits.Recommendations (most important 3-5 recommendations on a glimpse): The indications and contraindications must be checked before lumbar puncture (LP) is performed, and sampling CSF requires the consent of the patient.Puncture with an atraumatic needle is associated with a lower incidence of postpuncture discomfort. The frequency of postpuncture syndrome correlates inversely with age and body mass index, and it is more common in women and patients with a history of headache. The sharp needle is preferably used in older or obese patients, also in punctures expected to be difficult.In order to avoid repeating LP, a sufficient quantity of CSF (at least 10 ml) should be collected. The CSF sample and the serum sample taken at the same time should be sent to a specialized laboratory immediately so that the emergency and basic CSF analysis program can be carried out within 2 h.The indication for LP in anticoagulant therapy should always be decided on an individual basis. The risk of interrupting anticoagulant therapy must be weighed against the increased bleeding risk of LP with anticoagulant therapy.As a quality assurance measure in CSF analysis, it is recommended that all cytological, clinical-chemical, and microbiological findings are combined in an integrated summary report and evaluated by an expert in CSF analysis.
Conclusions:
In view of the importance and developments in CSF analysis, the S1 guideline "Lumbar puncture and cerebrospinal fluid analysis" was recently prepared by the German Society for CSF analysis and clinical neurochemistry (DGLN) and published in German in accordance with the guidelines of the AWMF (https://www.awmf.org). /uploads/tx_szleitlinien/030-141l_S1_Lumbalpunktion_und_Liquordiagnostik_2019-08.pdf). The present article is an abridged translation of the above cited guideline. The guideline has been jointly edited by the DGLN and DGN.
... According to the literature, postoperative complications after craniotomies such as intra-or extracranial bleeding, leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) [32,40], impaired wound healing, and frank wound infection are infrequently observed, but nevertheless increase morbidity rate [1,20,29,37] as well as socioeconomic costs after surgeries [1,37] considerably. Subgaleal hematomas and fluid collections as such occur more often after cranial surgery and are believed to increase both patient discomfort as well as the overall postoperative complication rate. ...
Background:
For supratentorial craniotomy, surgical access, and closure technique, including placement of subgaleal drains, may vary considerably. The influence of surgical nuances on postoperative complications such as cerebrospinal fluid leakage or impaired wound healing overall remains largely unclear. With this study, we are reporting our experiences and the impact of our clinical routines on outcome in a prospectively collected data set.
Method:
We prospectively observed 150 consecutive patients undergoing supratentorial craniotomy and recorded technical variables (type/length of incision, size of craniotomy, technique of dural and skin closure, type of dressing, and placement of subgaleal drains). Outcome variables (subgaleal hematoma/CSF collection, periorbital edema, impairment of wound healing, infection, and need for operative revision) were recorded at time of discharge and at late follow-up.
Results:
Early subgaleal fluid collection was observed in 36.7% (2.8% at the late follow-up), and impaired wound healing was recorded in 3.3% of all cases, with an overall need for operative revision of 6.7%. Neither usage of dural sealants, lack of watertight dural closure, and presence of subgaleal drains, nor type of skin closure or dressing influenced outcome. Curved incisions, larger craniotomy, and tumor size, however, were associated with an increase in early CSF or hematoma collection (p < 0.0001, p = 0.001, p < 0.01 resp.), and larger craniotomy size was associated with longer persistence of subgaleal fluid collections (p < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Based on our setting, individual surgical nuances such as the type of dural closure and the use of subgaleal drains resulted in a comparable complication rate and outcome. Subgaleal fluid collections were frequently observed after supratentorial procedures, irrespective of the closing technique employed, and resolve spontaneously in the majority of cases without significant sequelae. Our results are limited due to the observational nature in our single-center study and need to be validated by supportive prospective randomized design.
... Los marcadores biológicos de LCR clásicos como la glucosa oxidasa y la Beta 2 transferrina (B2TF) tienen limitaciones, como la baja sensibilidad y especificidad en la primera o la dificultad del procesamiento de las muestras contaminadas ¿Es posible diferenciar líquido cefalorraquídeo de otras secreciones? Utilidad de la proteína Beta Trace como biomarcador de fístulas de líquido cefalorraquídeo 1 er Premio Beca AANC, 46º Congreso Argentino de Neurocirugía con suero en la segunda 7,9,14,15 . La proteína β-trace (PBT) fue introducida por Felgenhauer como marcador de LCR porque su concentración normal es 35 veces mayor que en el suero y, además, está ausente en lágrimas y en secreciones nasales 7 . ...
ABSTRACT
Objective: To describe the use of beta-trace protein (BTP) as a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) marker in patients with suspected CSF
leakage.
Methods and Materials: A retrospective study was conducted using data previously collected for a prospective, observational
study. Data included the case records, imaging studies and laboratory data from a series of 19 patients with suspected CSF
leakage in whom two-dimensional electrophoresis was performed for BTP detection, between July 2015 and July 2018.
Results: Average patient age was 48.1 years old, with nine males and ten females. Ten patients were from neurosurgery, seven
from otorhinolaryngology (ENT), and two from traumatology. Of the 19 samples, 14 were positive for BTP. Nine of the patients
(47.4%) sustained their CSF leakage during surgery. Five patients (26.3%) had a history of meningitis, all with positive BTP. All
14 BTP-positive cases were treated, three without and 11 with surgery. Average post-operative follow-up was 13.8 months,
with 13 patients experiencing a “favorable” and one “unfavorable” outcome. All five patients who screened negative for BTP
were treated non-surgically and had a favorable outcome.
Conclusions: In patients in whom BTP was identified, the marker was useful for detecting CSF in the secretions studied.
Amongst those who screened negative for BTP, its absence helped to rule out the presence of a CSF leak.
Key words: Skull Base; Beta Trace; Spinal Surgery; Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistula; Rincorquia
... CT and MRI are certainly not time or cost efficient and are rarely used on patients in preliminary examinations or during surgery. Currently, investigation of point-of-care (POC) tests, such as biochemical assays, are used in imaging pretesting for the initial detection of CSF leakage [16,17]. Among these assays, the β2TF test is considered a reliable biochemical method for detecting CSF leakage [18][19][20][21]. ...
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage can lead to brain and spine pathologies and there is an urgent need for a rapid diagnostic method for determining CSF leakage. Beta-2 transferrin (β2TF), asialotransferrin, is a specific CSF glycoprotein biomarker used to determine CSF leakage when distinguished from serum sialotransferrin (sTF).
Methods: We detected β2TF using an immunochromatographic assay (ICA), which can be potentially developed as a point-of-care (POC) testing platform. Sialic acid-specific lectin selectively captures sTF in multiple deletion lines within an ICA test strip, enabling the detection of β2TF. A sample pre-treatment process efficiently captures excess sTF increasing sensitivity for CSF leakage detection.
Results: An optimal cut-off value for determining the presence of CSF in test samples was obtained from receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis of the ratio of the test signal intensity and the deletion lines. On 47 clinical samples, ICA test strips discriminated CSF positive from negative samples with statistically significant (positive versus negative t-test; P =0.00027). Additional artificial positive samples, prepared by mixing CSF positive and negative clinical samples, were used as a further challenge. These positive samples were clearly discriminated from the negative samples (mixture versus negative t-test; P =0.00103) and CSF leakage was determined with 97.1% specificity and 96.2% sensitivity.
Conclusions: ICA represents a promising approach for POC diagnosis of CSF leakage. While requiring 70 min assay time inconvenient for POC testing, our method was significantly shorter than conventional electrophoresis-based detection methods for β2TF.
... 14 Alternatively, a sample of the fluid may be sent to the laboratory and tested for beta-2 transferrin. [15][16][17] Nonsurgical treatment of CSF may occasionally utilize lumbar drainage to divert CSF and promote healing. 18 In a retrospective analysis of 10,638 cases of TBI, the 1773 cases presenting with a posttraumatic CSF leak had significantly higher mortality. ...
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a common disorder with high morbidity and mortality, accounting for one in every three deaths due to injury. Older adults are especially vulnerable. They have the highest rates of TBI‐related hospitalization and death. There are about 2.5 to 6.5 million US citizens living with TBI‐related disabilities. The cost of care is very high.
Aside from prevention, little can be done for the initial primary injury of neurotrauma. The tissue damage incurred directly from the inciting event, for example, a blow to the head or bullet penetration, is largely complete by the time medical care can be instituted. However, this event will give rise to secondary injury, which consists of a cascade of changes on a cellular and molecular level, including cellular swelling, loss of membrane gradients, influx of immune and inflammatory mediators, excitotoxic transmitter release, and changes in calcium dynamics. Clinicians can intercede with interventions to improve outcome in the mitigating secondary injury. The fundamental concepts in critical care management of moderate and severe TBI focus on alleviating intracranial pressure and avoiding hypotension and hypoxia. In addition to these important considerations, mechanical ventilation, appropriate transfusion of blood products, management of paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity, using nutrition as a therapy, and, of course, venous thromboembolism and seizure prevention are all essential in the management of moderate to severe TBI patients. These concepts will be reviewed using the recent 2016 Brain Trauma Foundation Guidelines to discuss best practices and identify future research priorities.
... While a simple CT of thorax is not of much value, CT myelography aids in establishing the diagnosis of SPF. 9 MRI of thorax is noninvasive and can demonstrate CSF leaks with high sensitivity. CT of brain is useful in diagnosing pneumocephalus, subdural hemorrhages consequent to SPF. ...
... While a simple CT of thorax is not of much value, CT myelography aids in establishing the diagnosis of SPF. 9 MRI of thorax is noninvasive and can demonstrate CSF leaks with high sensitivity. CT of brain is useful in diagnosing pneumocephalus, subdural hemorrhages consequent to SPF. ...
Subarachnoid pleural fistula (SPF) is an aberrant communication between the pleural cavity and subarachnoid space, resulting in uncontrolled cerebrospinal fluid drainage. The negative pressure of the pleural cavity creates a continuous suctioning effect, thereby impeding the spontaneous closure of these fistulas. Dural tears or punctures in cardiothoracic procedures, spinal operations, and trauma are known to cause such abnormal communications. Failure to recognize this entity may result in sudden neurological or respiratory complications. Hence, a high index of suspicion is required for early diagnosis and prompt management. Noninvasive positive pressure ventilation has been described to be effective in managing such fistulas, thus mitigating the high morbidity associated with exploratory surgery for primary repair. Herein, we describe the typical presentation of SPF and the clinical course, treatment, and follow-up of a patient who sustained SPF following anterior thoracic spinal surgery.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Rapid detection of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks is vital for patient recovery after spinal surgery. However, distinguishing CSF-specific transferrin (TF) from serum TF using lateral flow immunoassays (LFI) is challenging due to their structural similarities. This study aims to develop a novel point-of-care diagnostic assay for precise CSF leak detection by quantifying total TF in both CSF and serum.
METHODS
Capitalizing on the substantial 100-fold difference in TF concentrations between CSF and serum, we designed a diagnostic platform based on the well-known “hook effect” resulting from excessive analyte presence. Clinical samples from 37 patients were meticulously tested using the novel LFI sensor, alongside immunofixation as a reference standard.
RESULTS
The hook effect-based LFI sensor exhibited outstanding performance, successfully discriminating positive clinical CSF samples from negative ones with remarkable statistical significance (positive vs negative t -test; P = 1.36E-05). This novel sensor achieved an impressive 100% sensitivity and 100% specificity in CSF leak detection, demonstrating its robust diagnostic capabilities.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, our study introduces a rapid, highly specific, and sensitive point-of-care test for CSF leak detection, harnessing the distinctive TF concentration profile in CSF compared with serum. This novel hook effect-based LFI sensor holds great promise for improving patient outcomes in the context of spinal surgery and postsurgical recovery. Its ease of use and reliability make it a valuable tool in clinical practice, ensuring timely and accurate CSF leak detection to enhance patient care.
Introduction
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas are a rare phenomenon, that can lead to life-threatening complications if left untreated. Presenting as rhinorrhea or otorrhea, they can be difficult to diagnose due to admixture of other bodily fluids. Typically, CSF fistulas develop after trauma, but in rare instances, they can be diagnosed in patients with a neoplastic lesion.
Objective
To discuss several steps in diagnosing CSF fistulas.
Patient
A fifty-year-old female with an intra-osseous temporal bone meningioma.
Interventions
For diagnosing CSF admixture in fluids, two tests are looked into: beta-2 transferrin (β2T) and beta-trace protein (βTP) testing.
Conclusion
Testing for βTP is a highly sensitive, quick and non-invasive method to assess CSF admixture in middle ear effusion. Because of its lower cost, faster results and easy sample collection, βTP testing has in our clinic replaced β2T testing. The current case illustrates a rare etiology of a CSF fistula, where β2T testing presumably showed false-negative results and βTP testing showed true-positive results.
This chapter describes emerging developments and advances that will potentially impact skull base reconstruction in the future. This chapter discusses laser tissue welding, endoscopic drug delivery to central nervous system, point of care CSF detection, indocyanine green applications, wound healing and biomechanical models, and training via simulations and 3D printed models. Laser tissue welding can offer primary wound closure and prevent CSF leaks by endoscopic sealing of wound edges using a laser and biological solder, although more studies are warranted to investigate the technical feasibility and solder formulation. To overcome limitations of drug delivery to the central nervous system due to the blood brain barrier, novel techniques such as minimally invasive nasal depot or mucosal graft techniques are being introduced with promising potentials. Point-of-care detection of CSF leaks has immense clinical implications; thus, studies to accurately quantify beta-trace protein or beta-2 transferrin, or other targets, using various techniques are reporting great progress. Endoscope-integrated indocyanine green has been recently utilized to evaluate nasoseptal flap perfusion, which can improve postoperative outcomes in the future. Since the reconstruction of skull base defects is a complex topic with various types of techniques and grafts available, we also discuss the emerging healing and biomechanical models that compare different methods. Lastly, we explore the technological developments in the training of skull base surgery and reconstruction such as 3D-printed models and virtual reality simulations.
CSF rhinorrhoea is a serious condition that may lead to life-threatening complications like meningitis or pneumocephalus. The most common cause of a CSF leak is trauma, by injury or surgery. Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhoea is less common (5%) but may be associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The diagnosis of a CSF leak may be challenging, but ideally should be confirmed clinically, including nasal endoscopy, identification of CSF-specific proteins (beta-2 transferrin, beta-trace protein) within the fluid and by imaging (HRCT, MRI). Intrathecal injection of sodium fluorescein can be used to confirm and locate leaks. Active CSF leaks imply the existence of a dural defect and must be repaired. The surgical approach and technique of repair depends on the size and location of the dural defect. Autologous tissue, such as nasal mucosa flaps, fat and fascia, is the preferred method of reconstruction.
Objective
The objective of this study is to study the effect of in situ bone flap (ISBF) repositioning, a recently proposed rigid skull base reconstruction technique, on patients diagnosed with pituitary adenoma undergoing endoscopic endonasal approach (EEA).
Method
A retrospective analysis was conducted on 188 patients with pituitary adenomas who underwent EEA from February 2018 to September 2022. Patients were divided into the ISBF group and non-ISBF group, according to whether ISBF was used during skull base reconstruction.
Results
Of the 75 patients in the non-ISBF group, 6 had postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (8%), while only 1 of 113 patients in the ISBF group (0.8%) had postoperative CSF leakage, indicating that the incidence of postoperative CSF leakage in the ISBF group was significantly lower than that in the non-ISBF group (P = 0.033). In addition, we also found that the postoperative hospitalization days of patients in the ISBF group (5.34 ± 1.24) were significantly less than those in the non-ISBF group (6.83 ± 1.91, P = 0.015).
Conclusion
ISBF repositioning is a safe, effective, and convenient rigid skull base reconstruction method for patients with pituitary adenoma treated by EEA, which can significantly reduce the rate of postoperative CSF leakage and shorten postoperative hospital stays.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage is one of the most common complication in the neurosurgical procedure including microvascular decompression (MVD) surgery [1].
Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is a condition that commonly presents with unilateral watery drainage from the nose or ear, tinnitus, and stuffy ears or hearing loss. Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea and otorrhea together are rare. A 64-year-old woman presented at our department with complaints of clear watery rhinorrhea and hearing loss on the right side persisting for 10 months. Imaging and surgery were used to diagnose the condition. Through surgical treatment, she was eventually cured. Review of the literature has shown that patients with both nasal and aural CSF leaks are rare. When a patient presents with both unilateral watery drainage from both the nose and ear, a diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea and otorrhea should be considered. This case report will benefit clinicians by providing more information to assist with diagnosing the disease.
Introduction and importance
Obese, middle age, females, and increased intracranial pressure is the commonest predisposing factors for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid.
Case presentation
Here we present a middle-aged female presented 1 year ago with right sided CSF Leak the confirmed by Beta 2 Transferrin and CT scan and repair have been done. Now she presented with the same complains in the left side.
Conclusion
Proper management of increased intracranial pressure must be done pre and post skull base repair to prevent recurrence either in the same side or the opposite side.
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks have been noted as a radiological finding in some post-whiplash patients. However, the mechanism for these leaks has not yet been described.
Anatomical studies have recently reported deep suboccipital muscles attaching to the cervical dura mater viamyodural bridging structures. Excessive tension across these myovertebral structures may rupture the dura mater at their attachment sites, particularly in patients with underlying connective tissue disorders. Whiplash events may provide the necessary tension across the myodural bridging structures to rupture the dura mater allowing extravasation of cerebrospinal fluid into the retrospinal region at the atlantoaxial interspace. As such, cerebrospinal fluid extravasation following a whiplash event that has been previously described as idiopathic or spontaneous may result from excessive myodural and vertebrodural tension leading to dural tears following whiplash events.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage due to incidental durotomy is an inherent complication of spine surgery. With appropriate treatment, complications of CSF leakage, such as headache and even meningitis, can be reduced. CSF leakage could be detected on the basis of correlated clinical symptoms; diagnosis should be based on these symptoms and appropriate imaging studies. However, the diagnosis of CSF leakage remains a challenge, especially if incidental durotomy is unrecognized during surgery; even if incidental durotomy is detected and repaired intraoperatively, the severity of the leakage and quality of the primary dural repair are difficult to evaluate postoperatively. Rapid, inexpensive, and safe methods of detecting CSF-containing samples are currently lacking; hence, the development of a point-of-care test (POCT) method to improve diagnostic efficiency is necessary. We developed a high-sensitivity lateral flow immunoassay with a stacking pad (sLFIA) for quantitative detection of β-trace protein (BTP), a specific CSF marker. The BTP concentration in 39 clinical samples was calculated using a calibration equation for test-line intensity and evaluated by a standard laboratory method. To avoid the hook effect, we diluted each sample prior to testing. The correlation coefficient between the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and our BTP sLFIA method was 0.991 A 75-fold sample dilution was applied owing to the hook effect point, identified as 175 ng mL⁻¹. We established an optimal sample-specific cutoff point at a value of 4.0 μg mL⁻¹ for CSF leakage in subfascial drainage samples following spinal posterior decompression. The sensitivity and specificity of the BTP sLFIA method were 90% and 97%, respectively, according to a receiver operating characteristic curve analysis. In addition, clinical samples from patients who underwent primary dural repair intraoperatively were tested, and CSF leakage was successfully diagnosed using our method. Finally, the quantitation of BTP in samples collected daily provided an accurate assessment of the severity of the residual leakage. Our results demonstrate that the BTP sLFIA method possesses the potential to serve as a POCT method for screening and monitoring postoperative CSF leakage.
Background:
Surgical treatment of anterior cranial base traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is challenging and is fraught with complications. Whether a person should be offered open craniotomy or endoscopic endonasal repair is a dilemma faced by most surgeons. This study is one of the few to directly compare the two forms of management.
Methods:
Data were collected from two groups of 15 patients each who underwent transcranial CSF leak repair and endoscopic endonasal CSF leak repair in a tertiary care hospital over a 3-year period. Information including demographics, recurrence rates, complications, and hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) stay was recorded and analyzed. Outcome was assessed up to 6 months.
Results:
Recurrence was seen in 9/30 patients, 6 in the transcranial group and 3 in the endoscopic group. Hospital stay was longer than 1 week in all the transcranially operated patients and only in 73% of the endoscopically operated patients (p = 0.439) although ICU stay was reduced in the endoscopic group (p = 0.066). Complications were more common with transcranial repair (seven of eight patients who underwent transcranial repair, p = 0.035) with anosmia being the most common (33.3%, p = 0.042).
Conclusion:
The transcranial open repair is a reasonable choice especially for leaks that occur through the frontal sinus and extend backward into the frontoethmoidal region. However, this approach has the drawbacks of greater number of complications, higher recurrence rate, and longer ICU and overall hospital stay. The endoscopic endonasal repair enjoys a lower morbidity profile although it may not be an adequate treatment for leaks that are placed far laterally in the frontal sinus.
Transsphenoidal surgery is the most common approach to remove pituitary tumors. Management of patients following transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection can be challenging for nurses. Transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary tumor resection is complicated and linked with several body systems. Successful postoperative transsphenoidal surgery management needs expert nursing care for early identification and prompt management of complications. Appropriate and timely management can save patient’s lives and get the best recovery from pituitary tumor surgery. This article reviewed knowledge on pituitary adenomas, postoperative complications, and guidelines for nurses caring for patients postoperative transsphenoidal pituitary tumor surgery. The materials included assessment and nursing management of rebleeding and increased intracranial pressure, visual disturbances, pituitary apoplexy, cerebrospinal fluid leak, meningitis, epistaxis, diabetes insipidus, hyponatremia, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone, cerebral salt wasting syndrome, adrenal insufficiency, and discharge instructions for patients with transsphenoidal pituitary tumor resection.
Objectives
Inner ear malformations (IEM) with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in children is a rare condition, nevertheless, it may lead to meningitis. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial. The aims of the study were to summarize the clinical characteristic of pediatric CSF leakage secondary to IEM, and to recommend transcanal endoscopic ear surgery (TEES) as an effective surgical technique for the treatment of CSF leakage with IEM in children.
Methods
This was a retrospective study. Thirteen children and fourteen ear surgery were included. Demographics, detail history, laboratory data, Audio test, and imageological examination results were recorded. All the pediatric patients underwent TEES.
Results
Most (92.31%) of the children presented with a history of rhinorrhea. 69.23% (9/13) of the children had suffered from meningitis, and the other had presented with respiratory tract infections. The follow-up duration ranged from 0.75 years to 5.29 years. Transcanal endoscopic repair of CSF leakage secondary to IEM was the first surgery with a success rate of 92.86% (13 out of 14 cases). A fistula could be found in the stapes footplate in all pediatric patients.
Conclusion
Even if there has been no history of meningitis, the diagnosis of CSF leakage in children suffering from unilateral rhinorrhea and recurrent respiratory tract infection is considered. Auditory brainstem response (ABR) and Temporal bone computed tomography (CT) examinations are suggested to identify IEM. The TEES procedure is recommended in our study as the first choice that repairs CSF leakage secondary to IEM.
Conjunctival orbital cysts are rare; they are typically either conjunctival dermoid or conjunctival epithelial cysts – congenital or acquired (inclusion). We describe the case of a 15-month-old girl presenting with strabismus and proptosis who had a retrobulbar intraconal cystic lesion displacing the optic nerve, with an adjacent middle cranial fossa anomaly. Aspiration of the orbital cyst tested positive for asialotransferrin, raising the suspicion of a direct communication with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Subsequent fine cut CT scanning disproved any connection with the intracranial space, and the cyst was excised complete and intact. Histopathology showed a conjunctival epithelial cyst. To our knowledge, this is the first case report in the literature of an asialotransferrin positive pediatric orbital conjunctival epithelial cyst. It is of clinical relevance as it explores the possibility of either a false positive asialotransferrin or potentially a prior developmental communication with the subarachnoid space. These two diagnostic possibilities are discussed.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks can occur when there is communication between the intracranial cavities and the external environment. They are a common and serious complication of numerous procedures in otolaryngology, and if not treated, persistent leaks can increase a patient’s risk of developing life-threatening complications such as meningitis. As it is not uncommon for patients to exhibit increased secretions postoperatively, distinguishing normal secretions from those containing CSF can be difficult. Currently, there are no proven, available tests that allow a medical provider concerned about a CSF leak to inexpensively, rapidly, and noninvasively rule out the presence of a leak. The gold standard laboratory-based test requires that a sample be sent to a tertiary site for analysis, where days to weeks may pass before results return. To address this, our group recently developed a semiquantitative, barcode-style lateral-flow immunoassay (LFA) for the quantification of the beta-trace protein, which has been reported to be an indicator of the presence of CSF leaks. In the work presented here, we created a rapid diagnostic test kit composed of our LFA, a collection swab, dilution buffers, disposable pipettes, and instructions. Validation studies demonstrated excellent predictive capabilities of this kit in distinguishing between clinical specimens containing CSF and those that did not. Our diagnostic kit for CSF leak detection can be operated by an untrained user, does not require any external equipment, and can be performed in approximately 20 min, making it well suited for use at the point of care. This kit has the potential to transform patient outcomes.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW:
To summarize the current evidence on the diagnostic evaluation of cranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and encephaloceles, including laboratory testing and imaging studies.
RECENT FINDINGS:
The most sensitive and specific laboratory tests for CSF leak diagnosis are beta-2-transferrin and beta trace protein assays, the former more commonly used because of availability. Imaging studies used for localization of the leak site include high resolution computed tomography (HRCT) and magnetic resonance cisternography (MRC), often used in combination. Intrathecal contrast administration is reserved for complex cases with prior equivocal test results or for patients with multiple skull base defects to localize the leak site.
SUMMARY:
Diagnosis of CSF leaks and encephaloceles is aimed at both confirming the leak and localizing the leak site. Future advancements in testing techniques may shorten the diagnostic process, limit the need for invasive testing, and improve the safety of such testing in indicated cases.
Endoscopic sinus surgery (ESS) is a standard treatment for rhinosinusitis, which failed optimum medical therapy. Iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea can occur during ESS warrants early repair of the leakage. The common sites for CSF leakage are cribriform plate, fovea ethmoidalis, and anterior ethmoid sinuses. We present five cases of iatrogenic CSF rhinorrhoea due to ESS and its management.
The aim of this prospective study was to evaluate the value of unenhanced (three-dimensional constructive interference in steady state (3D-CISS)) and contrast-enhanced MR cisternography (CE-MRC) in detecting the localisation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak in patients with rhinorrhoea. 17 patients with active or suspected CSF rhinorrhoea were included in the study. 3D-CISS sequences in coronal and sagittal planes and fat-suppressed T1-weighted spin-echo sequences in three planes before and after intrathecal contrast media administration were obtained. Images were obtained of the cribriform plate and sphenoid sinus. In addition, high-resolution CT (HRCT) was performed in order to evaluate the bony elements. The leak was present in 9/17 patients with 3D-CISS and 10/17 patients with CE-MRC. The leak from the cribriform plate to the nasal cavity in six patients and from the sphenoid sinus in four patients was nicely shown by CE-MRC. Eight of those patients were surgically treated, but spontaneous regression of the symptoms in two precluded any intervention. The leak localisations shown with CE-MRC were fully compatible with surgical results. The sensitivities of HRCT, 3D-CISS and CE-MRC for showing CSF leakage were 88%, 76% and 100%, respectively. In conclusion, 3D-CISS is a non-invasive and reliable technique, and should be the first-choice method to localise CSF leak. CE-MRC is helpful in conditions when there is no leak or in complicated cases with a positive beta2-transferrin measurement.
Important advances have been made in the diagnosis, localisation, and surgical management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea. CSF leaks have been associated with about a 10% risk of developing meningitis per year.1 It is important to diagnose the cause of unilateral clear rhinorrhoea and to differentiate unilateral autonomic rhinitis from the rupture of a mucus retention cyst (the contents of which are light straw coloured) or a CSF leak. CSF leaks can occur spontaneously although there may be a history of trauma or surgery. A specimen of the discharge must be sent for analysis of β 2 transferrin by immunofixation; this test has a high specificity and has superseded all other diagnostic techniques.2 The glucose oxidase test has poor predictive value and should …
(a). To describe the glucose content of normal human airways secretions; (b). to observe the effects of hyperglycemia and airways inflammation on airways glucose.
Observational studies.
(a). St George's Hospital Medical School; (b). diabetes mellitus outpatient clinics; (c). adult general intensive care unit.
Nineteen healthy volunteers, 24 volunteers with acute rhinitis, 20 patients with diabetes mellitus, and 60 patients admitted to a general adult intensive care unit.
(a). Non-ventilated patients: simultaneous measurement of blood and nasal glucose concentrations; (b). ICU patients: simultaneous blood, nasal, and endotracheal (ET) glucose concentrations.
Nasal glucose was undetectable in all healthy volunteers. Glucose was detected in 12/24 volunteers with acute viral rhinitis [1 (1-2) mmol l(-1)] and 18/20 people with diabetes [4 (2-7) mmol l(-1)]. Glucose was detected in the ET secretions of 31/60 ventilated patients on ICU. Patients with ET glucose had significantly higher blood glucose (9.8+/-0.4 mmol l(-1)) than patients without ET glucose (7.2+/-0.3 mmol l(-1), P<0.001), and all patients with blood glucose >10.1 mmol l(-1) had glucose in ET secretions. Enteral nutrition did not affect the presence or concentration of glucose in ET secretions.
Glucose is not normally present in airways secretions, but appears where hyperglycaemia or epithelial inflammation occur. The detection of glucose cannot reliably be used to detect enteral feed aspiration.
This report describes the sensitivity and specificity of glucose detection using Glucostix test strips and computed tomography (CT) of the skull base for confirming cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae in patients with persistent rhinorrhoea or otorrhoea, and comparing them with the beta-2 transferrin assay as the gold standard for CSF detection.
Fluid samples from the nose were collected from 18 patients with suspected CSF fistulae. The samples were assayed for beta-2 transferrin using the Western blotting and immunostaining technique. CT (5mm axial slice) of the skull base was performed for evidence of skull base fracture. The glucose levels and Glucostix results were compared.
Out of the 18 samples, 15 were positive for beta-2 transferrin adn the leaks were validated surgically in 10 patients. Give leaks healed spontaneously with conservative management. Glucostix tests produced three false positive results from blood and nasal mucus contaminated fluid. Glucostix failed to detect another three CSF leaks resulting from false negative tests because of low CSF glucose levels. The Glucostix glucose test was nonspecific and insensitive compared with the beta-2 transferrin assay. CT failed to detect three of the 15 beta-2 transferrin-positive leaks but there were no false positive results. CT produced six negative results, of which three were false negatives.
Glucose detection using Glucostix test strips is not recommended as a confirmatory test due to its lack of specificity and sensitivity. In the presence of a skull bas fracture on CT and a clinical CSF leak, there is no need for a further confirmatory test. In cases where a confirmatory test is needed, the beta-2 transferrin assay is the test of choice because of its high sensitivity and specificity.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas occur mainly in basal skull fractures or operations at the skull base entailing a dural defect; up to 40% of CSF fistulas are spontaneous (1). The treatment consists of surgical closure of the dural defect. Complications such as intracranial abscess or bacterial meningitis may develop, with a mortality rate of 25–50%. Therefore, a simple and reliable diagnosis of CSF fistulas is of great importance.
β-Trace protein is synthesized mainly in the epithelial cells of the choroid plexus and is found in CSF in concentrations ∼35-fold higher than in plasma (2). Thus, β-trace protein represents a potentially useful marker for the diagnosis of CSF leakage (3), with immunoelectrophoresis having a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 91% for the diagnosis of CSF leakage (4).
β2-Transferrin, the asialo form of transferrin, is produced by neuraminidase activity in the brain and is usually detectable only in CSF, perilymph, and aqueous humor. Thus, like β-trace protein, it is a potentially useful marker to diagnose CSF leakage (3).
In the present work we compared the first two commercially available assay systems: a new, sensitive immunofixation method from Sebia GmbH for detection of β2-transferrin and an automatic, quantitative immunonephelometric assay from Dade Behring for detection of β-trace protein. We also established a cutoff value for β-trace protein and evaluated the potential of both markers as indicators of CSF leakage.
The β-trace protein assay is based on latex particle enhancement using rabbit polyclonal antibodies against β-trace protein. Calibrators contain β-trace protein purified from CSF (N Protein Standard UY®; Dade Behring). Imprecision was assessed by assaying N/T protein Control LC® (Dade Behring). Measurements were performed on a BN …
The surgical management of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea has changed after the introduction of functional endoscopic sinus surgery.The following three cases illustrate the repair of CSF leaks with the use of rigid endoscope. Two patients had the diagnosis and the site confirmed after intrathecal fluoresceine saline injection. The obliteration of the CSF was achieved with fat free, mucoperichondrial or mucoperiostal free grafts taken from middle or inferior turbinate and kept in place by fibrin glue. Primary closure was achieved in all patients. The repair of the CSF rhinorrhea by endonasal endoscopic surgery is safe, effective and is a valid alternative to the cranial approach.
Rhinorrhoea is a clinical sign of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage in patients with skull fracture, but can also be attributable to respiratory secretions or tears. Laboratory tests confirming the presence of CSF are not sufficiently rapid to support clinical decision making in the emergency department and may not be universally available. Detection of glucose in nasal discharge was traditionally used to diagnose CSF leak at the bedside, but has fallen into disuse as it has poor positive predictive value. We propose an algorithm to improve the diagnostic value of this test taking into consideration factors we have found to affect the glucose concentration of respiratory secretions. In patients at risk of CSF leak, nasal discharge is likely to contain CSF if glucose is present in the absence of visible blood, if blood glucose is <6 mmol x L(-1), and if there are no symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection.
The authors review their experience with endoscopic repair of skull base defects associated with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea involving the paranasal sinuses. A total of 22 patients was treated endoscopically between 1992 and 1998. The repair method consisted of closure of the CSF fistula with a free autologous abdominal fat graft and fibrin glue, supported with a sheet of silastic. The primary closure rate was 82% (18/22), and the overall closure rate was 95.5% (21/22) without recurrence or complications within an average follow-up of 5 years (14-83 months). A single patient still complains of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea, although this was never proved by any clinical, endoscopic, or biological (beta(2)-transferrin) examination. The repair of ethmoidal-sphenoidal cerebrospinal fluid fistulae by endonasal endoscopic surgery is an excellent technique, both safe and effective. Fat is a material of choice, as it is tight and resists infection well. The technique and indications for endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid leaks are discussed.
A cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea occurs when there is a fistula between the dura and the skull base and discharge of CSF from the nose. CSF rhinorrhea or liquorrhoea commonly occurs following head trauma (fronto-basal skull fractures), as a result of intracranial surgery, or destruction lesions. A spinal fluid leak from the intracranial space to the nasal respiratory tract is potentially very serious because of the risk of an ascending infection which could produce fulminant meningitis. This article reviewed the causes, diagnosis and treatment of CSF leakage. A PUBMED search of the National Library of Medicine was conducted. CSF leak most commonly occurs following trauma and the majority of cases presenting within the first three months. CSF rhinorrhoea have significantly greater incidence of periorbital haematoma. This suggests that patients with head injuries and features of periorbital haematoma are at greater risk of unobserved dural tear and delayed CSF leakage. In the presence of a skull base fracture on computed tomography and a clinical CSF leak, there is no need for a further confirmatory test. In cases where a confirmatory test is needed, the beta-2 transferrin assay is the test of choice because of its high sensitivity and specificity. A greater proportion of the CSF leaks in the patients resolved spontaneously. CSF fistulae persisting for > 7 days had a significantly increased risk of developing meningitis. Treatment decisions should be dictated by the severity of neurological decline during the emergency period and the presence/absence of associated intracranial lesions. The timing for surgery and CSF drainage procedures must be decided with great care and with a clear strategy.
During recent decades, beta2-transferrin and beta-trace protein (prostaglandin D synthase) have been used as immunological markers for the diagnosis of CSF fistula. A method for detecting CSF traces should be non invasive, reliable and cheap.
The characteristics of the two immunological markers are described based on own experience and a literature review. PubMed (1966-2007) was searched and 39 articles were retrieved from the period 1987-2007.
The beta2-transferrin marker showed a high reliability during the last decades using immunofixation or immunoblotting. The performance of beta2-transferrin assay requires between two and four hours hands-on time in the laboratory depending on the assay. The beta-trace protein protein marker showed a high reliability when assayed using immunoelectrophoresis or laser-nephelometry. Laser-nephelomety is automated, non- time consuming, provides quantitative results and last but not least, is cheap. A cut-off point at 1.11 mg/l for beta-trace protein gave the best trade-off between high sensitivity and high specificity when including the secretion/serum ratio.
Both beta2-transferrin and beta-trace protein are reliable immunological markers for the detection of CSF traces. High diagnostic accuracy values were found for both beta2-transferrin and beta-trace protein protein.
Osteomas are relatively common, benign, slow-growing, often asymptomatic neoplasms of the paranasal sinuses, occurring mainly in frontal and ethmoid sinuses. Surgical removal is done if they extend beyond the boundaries of the sinus, keep enlarging, are localised in the region adjacent to the nasofrontal duct, or if signs of chronic sinusitis are present and, irrespective of their size, in symptomatic tumours. Progressive headaches and chronic inflammation of the adjacent mucous membrane are most common symptoms. Endoscopic surgery plays an important role in management of ethmoid, sphenoid and frontal osteomas.
Objective:
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas need to be reliably diagnosed for the optimal management. Recently, in preference to beta2-transferrin, another CSF protein, beta-trace protein (betaTP), is similarly used with a new method for CSF diagnosis. This study evaluates the sensitive interpretation and limits of this new betaTP test for use in routine CSF fistula diagnosis.
Methods:
Nephelometric detection of betaTP has been made in nasal secretion, serum, and CSF samples from healthy individuals as well as patients with reduced glomerular filtration rate and with bacterial meningitis. Additionally, 53 patients with suspected CSF rhinorrhea are also analyzed.
Results:
The betaTP test can also be used to reliably diagnose CSF rhinorrhea even slightly better than the beta2-transferrin test. It should not be used for patients with renal insufficiency and bacterial meningitis as they substantially increase serum and decrease CSF betaTP values, respectively.
Conclusion:
Quantitative measurement of betaTP is a noninvasive, highly sensitive, quick, and inexpensive method that can be used for the detection of CSF rhinorrhea in nasal secretions. However, in cases where there is doubt about the interpretation, the results should be proved with beta2-transferrin test or sodium-fluorescein test.
Posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage frequently complicates skull base fractures. While most CSF leaks will cease without treatment, patients with persistent CSF leaks may be at increased risk for meningitis, and many will require surgical intervention. We reviewed the medical records of 51 patients treated between 1984 and 1998, with CSF leaks that persisted for 24 hours or longer after head trauma. Twenty-eight patients (53%) had spontaneous resolution of the leakage at an average of 5 days. Twenty-three patients (47%) required surgery. Eight patients (16%) had occult leaks presenting with recurrent meningitis at an average of 6.5 years posttrauma. Forty-three (84%) patients with CSF leaks had an associated skull fracture, most commonly involving the frontal sinus, while only 18 patients (35%) had parenchymal brain injury or extra-axial hematoma. Eight patients (16%) had delayed leaks at an average of 13 days posttrauma. Among patients with clinically evident CSF leakage the frequency of meningitis was 10% with antibiotic prophylaxis, and 21% without antibiotic prophylaxis. Thus, prophylactic antibiotic administration halved risk of meningitis. A variety of surgical approaches was used, with minimal morbidity. Three of 23 surgically treated patients (13%) required additional surgery for continued leakage. Patients with CSF leaks that persist greater than 24 hours are at risk for meningitis, and many will require surgical intervention. Prophylactic antibiotics may be effective and should be considered in this group of patients. Patients with skull fractures involving the skull base or frontal sinus should be followed for delayed leakage. Surgical outcome is excellent.
CT and MRI are helpful to detect the precise site of the fistula, which is crucial for carrying out the repair, and transnasal endoscopic surgery is an effective treatment for recurrent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea.
To discuss the cause and treatment of recurrent CSF rhinorrhea.
A retrospective study was undertaken to analyze the clinical characteristics of 32 patients with recurrent CSF rhinorrhea. After detailed examination and radiological evaluation by CT and MRI, all of them underwent transnasal endoscopic surgery.
Six patients presented a leakage at the posterior wall of the frontal sinus, 12 at the ethmoid roof, and 14 at the sphenoid roof. Four cases with a defect in the frontal sinus and frontal recess were repaired with the DRAF III procedure, four cases with a defect in the sphenoid lateral recess were repaired through transpterygoid intervention and under an image-guided navigation system, while the others were operated by routine endoscopic sinus surgery. No recurrence was found during the follow-up for 14-60 months (mean 36.8) in 31 cases, and 1 case with recurrence recovered well after further surgery.
Spontaneous nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula represents a rare clinical entity. The possible etiology and the localization of the rhinorrhea remain an ongoing clinical challenge. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the localization of spontaneous CSF fistula and to correlate it with anatomical studies.
Retrospective clinical study, prospective anatomical study.
Twenty-nine patients with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea were retrospectively studied, 10 males and 19 females. Ages ranged from 10 to 92 years (mean, 50 years). In addition, 48 human skulls from newborns to adults were examined for the postnatal development of the anterior and middle cranial fossa.
In our study isolated cribriform plate defects were found in four patients. The lateral lamina of the ethmoid bone showed defects in three patients. In nine patients the bony defect could be found in the region of the fovea ethmoidalis. The bony defect between the extra- and intracranial space was found in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus in eight patients. Five patients had special sites (e.g., supraorbital recess and frontal recess).
This study supports the theory that bony dehiscence in the lateral lamina of the ethmoid bone can be congenital and can also be spontaneously acquired later. The bony dehiscence in the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus can only develop during pneumatization.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak of the anterior skull base is an abnormal communication between the subarachnoid space and the nasal cavity or the paranasal sinus. Its presence increases the incidence of complications, as meningitis, with risk of sequelae. The early and correct diagnosis of the CSF leaks is important to perform surgical treatment as soon as possible. The CSF detection in nasal fluids could be made through the beta2-transferrin (beta2Tr) immunoelectrophoretic test, an expensive and cumbersome immunologic test, not available to the majority of the Brazilian hospitals. Recently, the detection of beta-trace protein (betaTP) for identification of CSF leaks has been described. The literature suggests there may be similar sensitivity and specificity to tests of beta2Tr, because betaTP is also a specific brain protein and it is present in CSF in high concentrations. The majority of Brazilian hospitals have the nephelometric equipment for betaTP detection. This study was designed to determine threshold values for betaTP concentrations in nasal cavity secretions as a predictor of CFS leak.
Nasal secretions were collected from patients with suspicion of CSF leak and from healthy volunteers. Pure CSF samples were used. A nephelometric assay was used to determine the betaTP concentration in samples.
Values between 0.244 and 0.496 mg/L were determined for the cutoff.
Beta-trace concentrations above 0.496 mg/L are highly suggestive of the presence of CSF in examined nasal secretion. Positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 100%. BetaTP nephelometric test can predict the side of the CSF leak.
Background:
The CSF rhinorrhea is a kind of common clinical disease. The preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative localization of CSF fistulas are critical to treatment of CSF rhinorrhea. At present, intrathecal fluorescein regarding endoscopic transnasal cerebrospinal leakage repair is a common method for localization of the fistula; however, it has some disadvantages because it needs a specific endoscope, and the trauma from lumbar puncture as well as the potential complications of intrathecal fluorescein, as a result, widely limited its clinical use. Topical intranasal fluorescein can avoid the above-mentioned shortcoming. The aim of this work was to describe the use of topical fluorescein in the intraoperative localization of CSF fistulas and to screen its use in preoperative diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea.
Methods:
Fifteen patients with CSF rhinorrhea were treated with an endoscopic endonasal technique. Topical intranasal 5% fluorescein for preoperative diagnosis and intraoperative localization of the site of the leak was placed in middle turbinate meatus, the roof of the ethmoid plate, and sphenoethmoidal recesses. A change in the color of the fluorescein from brown to green fluorescence denoted the presence of CSF, and the site of the leak could be traced. The accuracy rate of diagnosis and leak site identification was made by comparison with glucose analysis, intraoperative findings, and follow-up.
Results:
The cause of the leak was accidental trauma in 5 patients and spontaneous in 10 patients. The preoperative use of fluorescein-soaked cotton was 100% accurate in diagnosing CSF rhinorrhea. The intraoperative use of topical intranasal fluorescein was also 100% accurate in locating the site of the CSF fistula when compared with the surgical findings. It had achieved 100% success rate in sealing the CSF fistulas in our 15 patients with no recurrence detected during the follow-up period (mean, 2-24 months). No complications have been reported.
Conclusion:
In the presence of a clinically diagnosed CSF leakage and location of the leakage fistula, topical fluorescein is a very easy, sensitive, safe, and highly accurate tool in the intraoperative localization of the site and extent of CSF fistulas. It should be considered as a viable noninvasive alternative to intrathecal fluorescein.
Cerebrospinal fluid leaks that occur spontaneously are challenging to manage clinically owing to frequent recurrences following attempted surgical closure. Understanding of the underlying pathophysiology has increased in recent years as we now recognize that the vast majority of these patients demonstrate clinical symptoms and radiographic signs of elevated intracranial pressure. Individuals with this disorder also arise from a distinct demographic group. Increased knowledge of the characteristics of this patient population along with updated medical and surgical management will provide increased success rates in the management of this clinical entity.
Current literature indicates that control of intracranial hyptertension, coupled with endoscopic repair, will improve success rates comparable with other etiologies. Recent information on the underlying pathophysiology of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leaks is discussed. Improvement in preoperative identification of radiographic signs of intracranial hypertension (i.e. empty sella), operative technique, and postoperative management of elevated intracranial pressure are also reviewed.
We highlight the demographic characteristics, clinical presentation, radiologic findings, and clinical management of patients with this disorder.
Between 1969 and 1979, seventy-nine patients suffering from a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage, were operated on in the neurosurgical department of the University Clinic Essen (West Germany). A modified classification, the onset of symptoms and the diagnostic procedures are described and some data are compared with the results of other investigators.
Other methods of closing a CSF fistula and the timing of operation are briefly discussed. Also the case history of a patient with orbitorrhoea is described.
We measured serum levels of carbohydrate deficient transferrin (CDT) in 420 subjects: 100 healthy blood donors, 82 healthy employees, 70 abstaining patients with different chronic nonalcoholic liver disease, 16 abstaining patients with alcoholic fatty liver, 50 abstaining patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, 25 abusing patients with alcoholic fatty liver, 41 abusing patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis, and 36 patients with alcohol dependence syndrome with a daily ethanol consumption of 173 +/- 120 g the last 4 weeks before blood was drawn. In controls the serum level of CDT was significantly higher in females compared with males (17.7 +/- 5.1 and 13.7 +/- 3.8 units/liter, respectively), and the upper normal limit was defined as 27 and 20 units/liter. Sixty-two of 102 (60.8%) abusing patients with alcoholic liver disease had increased levels of CDT compared with 1 of 66 abstaining (1.5%) patients with alcoholic liver disease, and 10 of 70 (14.3%) abstaining patients with nonalcoholic liver disease among them 3 with primary biliary cirrhosis and 2 with chronic autoimmune hepatitis. No correlation was found between serum CDT and gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT), AST, ALT, and mean red cell volume (MCV). The sensitivity and specificity for serum CDT was 61 and 92%, respectively, compared with 85 and 18% for GGT and 70 and 66% for MCV. No advantage was gained by using the CDT/transferrin ratio. Our study confirms that CDT is a specific marker for chronic alcohol abuse, except in few patients with other chronic liver diseases. Serum CDT seems to be a better indicator of abstention than GGT; AST and MCV in patients with alcoholic liver disease. However, in our hands CDT is not so sensitive for alcohol abuse in patients with liver disease as reported earlier in unselected alcoholics.
Imaging is an important component in the investigation of unilateral watery rhinorrhoea suspicious of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Whilst the demonstration of the presence of beta 2 transferrin confirms that CSF is present it may prove difficult to demonstrate the exact site of origin. Fine detail coronal computed tomography (CT) with sections of 1-2 mm thickness through the anterior skull base may show small dehiscences and fractures. The commonest site for congenital dehiscences is the cribriform niche adjacent to the vertical attachment of the middle turbinate anteriorly and the superior and lateral walls of the sphenoid posteriorly. In the presence of frequent or constant CSF rhinorrhoea a CT cisternogram can be helpful in defining the exact site of the leak. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is reserved for defining the nature of soft tissue i.e. inflammatory tissue, meningoencephalocele or tumour. Finally, per-operative intrathecal fluorescein is helpful when imaging does not prove positive. A management algorithm for CSF rhinorrhoea is presented.
Different mixtures from a serum pool and a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pool were used as models to study CSF contamination in secretions by determining two CSF specific proteins: beta-trace protein (beta-TP) and the asialo-transferrin (a-Tf) band which was detected by isoelectric focusing (IEF) with Tf specific immunofixation. Beta-TP and total Tf were measured immunonephelometrically. Secretion/serum ratios of beta-TP content > 2.0 indicated CSF contaminations with > or = 5% (v/v) CSF; this was confirmed by detecting the a-Tf band by IEF. Reliable a-Tf bands were only revealed with secretion/serum rations of Tf contents < 0.1, indicating an interference of major sialo-Tf fractions with the a-TF band detection in the sample. For CSF detection in rhinorrhea and otorrhea, complementary use of beta-TP assay and a-Tf assay is recommended. Preanalytically, dilution or concentration of the sample as well as denaturation of Tf and beta-TP should be prevented by optimizing sample collection.
Posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage frequently complicates skull base fractures. While most CSF leaks will cease without treatment, patients with persistent CSF leaks may be at increased risk for meningitis, and many will require surgical intervention. We reviewed the medical records of 51 patients treated between 1984 and 1998, with CSF leaks that persisted for 24 hours or longer after head trauma. Twenty-eight patients (53%) had spontaneous resolution of the leakage at an average of 5 days. Twenty-three patients (47%) required surgery. Eight patients (16%) had occult leaks presenting with recurrent meningitis at an average of 6.5 years posttrauma. Forty-three (84%) patients with CSF leaks had an associated skull fracture, most commonly involving the frontal sinus, while only 18 patients (35%) had parenchymal brain injury or extra-axial hematoma. Eight patients (16%) had delayed leaks at an average of 13 days posttrauma. Among patients with clinically evident CSF leakage the frequency of meningitis was 10% with antibiotic prophylaxis, and 21% without antibiotic prophylaxis. Thus, prophylactic antibiotic administration halved risk of meningitis. A variety of surgical approaches was used, with minimal morbidity. Three of 23 surgically treated patients (13%) required additional surgery for continued leakage. Patients with CSF leaks that persist greater than 24 hours are at risk for meningitis, and many will require surgical intervention. Prophylactic antibiotics may be effective and should be considered in this group of patients. Patients with skull fractures involving the skull base or frontal sinus should be followed for delayed leakage. Surgical outcome is excellent.
beta-Trace protein (beta-TP) is an immunological marker for the detection of cerebrospinal fluid traces. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive values of a new research assay for beta-TP.
A total of 154 specimens from patients with otorrhea or rhinorrhea were investigated for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) by use of a laser-nephelometric assay for beta-TP. Samples were obtained between January 1994 and November 2000. A sample was reported to be positive for CSF when the beta-TP concentration was more than 6 mg/L. Case evaluations were performed retrospectively and tabulated for indication, clinical course, additional investigations, surgical procedure, and follow-up.
beta-TP was detected in 16 specimens; 138 samples were negative for beta-TP with a value less than 3 mg/L. One sample was suggestive of CSF traces at 4.6 mg/L. In correlation with the clinical course, the intraoperative findings, intraoperative visualization with sodium fluorescein, high-resolution computed tomography of the paranasal sinuses or the petrous bone, computed tomographic cisternography, magnetic resonance imaging, and radionuclide cisternography, there was no false-positive result. On four occasions, false-negative results occurred, with an overall accuracy of 0.974. The beta-TP test had a negative predictive value of 0.971 and a positive predictive value of 1.
Analysis of betas-TP via the nephelometric assay is a valuable and reliable test in cranial base surgery for the identification of CSF.
Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas need to be reliably diagnosed for the optimal management. Recently, in preference to beta2-transferrin, another CSF protein, beta-trace protein (betaTP), is similarly used with a new method for CSF diagnosis. This study evaluates the sensitive interpretation and limits of this new betaTP test for use in routine CSF fistula diagnosis.
Nephelometric detection of betaTP has been made in nasal secretion, serum, and CSF samples from healthy individuals as well as patients with reduced glomerular filtration rate and with bacterial meningitis. Additionally, 53 patients with suspected CSF rhinorrhea are also analyzed.
The betaTP test can also be used to reliably diagnose CSF rhinorrhea even slightly better than the beta2-transferrin test. It should not be used for patients with renal insufficiency and bacterial meningitis as they substantially increase serum and decrease CSF betaTP values, respectively.
Quantitative measurement of betaTP is a noninvasive, highly sensitive, quick, and inexpensive method that can be used for the detection of CSF rhinorrhea in nasal secretions. However, in cases where there is doubt about the interpretation, the results should be proved with beta2-transferrin test or sodium-fluorescein test.
Beta-trace protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), serum and nasal secretions are investigated with a new quantitative, immunonephelometric assay.
The mean beta-trace concentration of normal lumbar CSF (18.4 mg/l) and normal serum (0.59 mg/l), from n = 132 control patients, were 10% higher than reported earlier for smaller control groups. The reference range of beta-trace protein in nasal secretions is very low (median: 0.016 mg/l, range <0.003-0.12 mg/l, for n = 29 controls). Clinically confirmed cases of CSF rhinorhea (n = 20) showed beta-trace concentrations between 0.36 and 53.6 mg/l, with a median of 2.4 mg/l. We propose a cut-off value of 0.35 mg/l above which a CSF contamination in the secretion is plausible. A clinically confirmed CSF otorhea had a value of 1.75 mg/l.
This new beta-trace protein assay offers a fast, sensitive and reliable routine method to detect a CSF rhinorhea or otorhea.
Skull base dural lesions and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas are potentially vital conditions whose diagnosis can be challenging. The authors' aim was to compose a comprehensive algorithm that combines the most modern diagnostic tools in easily applicable patterns to indicate a possible dural lesion or CSF fistula.
Prospective clinical study.
The authors collected the data of all patients with suspicion of CSF fistula or dural lesion, or both, between January 1999 and December 2002. Beta-trace protein, beta2-transferrin, and endoscopic and laboratory sodium fluorescein tests; high-resolution computed tomography; and magnetic resonance cisternography were used according to the symptoms and etiological factors. The results of the diagnostic tools that were used and intraoperative findings (in case of an operative treatment) were reviewed.
From 1999 to 2002, 236 patients were evaluated because of suspicion of dural lesion or CSF fistula, mostly after head trauma. Pattern I of the algorithm was applied for head trauma in dural lesion or CSF leak assessment, pattern II for postoperative CSF leaks, pattern III for evaluation of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea, and pattern IV for the assessment of recurrent pneumococcal meningitis related to dural lesions without CSF fistula. By applying the patterns of this algorithm, a dural lesion or CSF leak that was also confirmed intraoperatively was detected in 48 patients.
The four patterns of the new diagnostic algorithm described in the present study enable physicians to reliably clarify suspicions of dural lesions and CSF fistulas and aim to help them choose the best possible management. Each pattern uses the optimal combination of CSF tests and radiological imaging to reach a synergistic effect for precisely detecting dural lesions or CSF fistulas. Accordingly, this improves surgical decision-making when necessary.
The beta(2)-transferrin assay is a specific method to identify cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Hitherto, this test has not been widely used for the routine screening of patients with suspected CSF leakage. The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical relevance of the identification of beta(2)-transferrin by comparing the test results with other diagnostic measures and intraoperative findings.
Case series.
Retrospective analysis of 182 patients tested once or multiple times for beta(2)-transferrin.
Information was obtained regarding different diagnostic procedures applied to diagnose CSF leakage. The effectiveness of those diagnostic measures was compared.
The main indication to test for beta(2)-transferrin was posttraumatic rhinorrhea (25%), followed by spontaneous (22%) and postsurgical (22%) rhinorrhea. In 35 of 205 cases, beta(2)-transferrin was detected in the tested specimens. Thirteen of these required surgical intervention for treatment of the CSF fistula, and the leakage site was identified in all of them. Taking all results into consideration, the highest correlation was observed between the beta(2)-transferrin assay, intrathecal fluorescein application, and surgical exploration.
The beta(2)-transferrin assay is a reliable method for confirming suspected CSF and should be used as a primary screening method in all patients with suspected CSF leakage. Although less invasive, the beta(2)-transferrin assay almost matches the high sensitivity achieved by exploratory surgery and intrathecal application of fluorescein. However, the possibility of bias should be carefully considered, and in particular, negative results should be critically compared with clinical symptoms and with results from other diagnostic procedures.
beta-Trace protein (Btp) has been proposed as a valuable marker of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage overcoming the drawbacks of beta-2-transferrin (B-2Tr) determination. However, there is still controversy about the appropriate cut-offs to be used (range 0.35-6 mg/L). The aim of the study was to evaluate cut-offs of Btp determination for detection CSF leakage. Further, we assessed whether the Btp secretion to serum ratio (Btp-sec/ser-ratio) would add diagnostic value.
Prospective study in patients with suspected CSF leakage. Quantitative determination of Btp in secretion and serum (Dade-Behring) and qualitative measurement of B-2-Tr in secretion and serum. Results were assessed in view of clinical data. Cut-offs and diagnostic characteristics were determined by ROC analysis.
A total of 176 samples were assessed originating from 105 patients. In 43 samples CSF leakage could be confirmed. Sensitivity of B-2-Tr was 84%, specificity amounted to 100%. The area under the curve (AUC) for Btp-measurement in secretion was 0.98. At a cut-off of 0.68 mg/L, sensitivity was 100% and specificity 91%. At a cut-off of 1.11 mg/L, the specificity was 100% with a sensitivity of 93%. The Btp-sec/ser-ratio has an AUC of 0.99. Combining a 0.68 mg/L cut-off in secretion with a Btp-sec/ser-ratio cut-off of 4.9 reveals a sensitivity of 99% and a specificity of 100%.
Btp is a rapid and accurate marker for the presence of CSF leakage. Combining measurement of Btp in secretion together with determination of the Btp-sec/ser-ratio enhances the diagnostic characteristics of the Btp assay. Determination of Btp in both serum and secretion is thus recommended.
Beta(2)-transferrin (beta-2 trf) is a desialated isoform of transferrin found only in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), ocular fluids, and perilymph. In aural, nasal, and wound drainages, this protein is an important marker of CSF leakage. Immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE) on agarose gels is a widely accepted qualitative technique for detection of small amounts of beta-2 trf, but disadvantages include lengthy transfer immunoblotting techniques or the requirement of at least 2 mL of sample.
Using eight applications of unconcentrated sample on high-resolution agarose gels with an automated electrophoresis system (Helena SPIFE 3000), we developed a rapid method for beta-2 trf. Evaluation studies included reproducibility of migration distance (mm), limit of detection, specificity, and concordance of results compared with those reported by a reference laboratory. Neuraminidase-treated serum was the source of beta-2 trf for our sensitivity and specificity studies. Transferrin was measured by rate nephelometry.
The 2.5-h procedure demonstrated reproducible migration (CV <2.5%) on five lots of gels. Detection of beta-2 trf at 0.002 g/L in an unconcentrated sample was attributed to reproducible application, quality of the anti-trf antiserum, and a sensitive acid violet stain. Our beta-2 trf findings (two negative and five positive) in seven available clinical samples agreed with the reference laboratory results. In 12 months after its inception, this test was ordered 48 times vs 13 in the previous year when testing was sent out.
This method provides physicians with a rapid, reliable aid in the diagnosis of suspected CSF leakage, as described in a case report.
Last studies have shown unsatisfactory diagnosis of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea. Although the majority of cerebrospinal (CSF) fistulas in the anterior skuli base are traumatic in nature, the minority is non-traumatic or primary. The authors have made an attempt of presenting on the basis of scientific reports of the physiopathology, imagin and diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leaks. This article introduces rapid, accurate and non-invasive biochemical methods for detection of cerebrospinal fluid leakage using combined determination of glucose, beta-trace-protein and beta-2-transferrin in secretion and serum. There are presented new invasive techniques for detection and localization of the cerebrospinal fluid leaks: CT and CT with contrast, MR cisternography and MRI cisternography in combination with single photon emission tomography. Finally, discusses different opinion in the management of the problem once it occurs.
Osteomas are relatively common, benign, slow-growing, often asymptomatic neoplasms of the paranasal sinuses, occurring mainly in frontal and ethmoid sinuses. Surgical removal is done if they extend beyond the boundaries of the sinus, keep enlarging, are localised in the region adjacent to the nasofrontal duct, or if signs of chronic sinusitis are present and, irrespective of their size, in symptomatic tumours. Progressive headaches and chronic inflammation of the adjacent mucous membrane are most common symptoms. Endoscopic surgery plays an important role in management of ethmoid, sphenoid and frontal osteomas. Aim. The aim of the paper was to report own experience in endoscopic treatment of patients with osteomas of the paranasal sinuses. Material and methods. 6 patients with osteomas of paranasal sinuses were included in the group, mean age 36 years (range 15-52). Most common involvement was ethmoid cells (3). There were also patients with frontal, maxillary and sphenoid osteoma. All tumours were removed under endoscopic giudance. Frontoethmoidectomy was performed to remove ethmoid and frontal osteomas. Antrotomy was used in case of maxillary involvement and sphenoethmoidectomy in the patient with sphenoid sinus osteoma. Sphenoid sinus was approached through its anterior wall with a Stammberger punch. All the tumours were removed using fine forceps. Results. No post-operative complications were observed. No recurrences were noted. All patients remain asymptomatic. Conclusions. Resection of small and medium size osteomas of the paranasal sinuses can be safely and radically performed using endoscopic techniques. It allows their radical resection and very good cosmetic effects.
The annual risk of meningitis in unrepaired fistulas is widely quoted to be approximately 10% per annum. Our aim was to review our experience with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and to calculate the overall risk and the annual incidence of meningitis, and to correlate our findings with the causation and the effect of operative intervention in a subgroup of patients who had a history of meningitis.
We prospectively collected data on all patients referred with a CSF leak to our tertiary referral center over a 12-year period between 1994 and 2006. We had a follow-up rate of 91%.
One hundred eleven patients had a proven leak on endoscopy, beta-2 transferrin, imaging, and/or fluorescein lumbar puncture. The accumulated duration of an active CSF leak in the cohort was 190 years. The total number of episodes of meningitis was 57 in 21 patients, giving an overall risk of developing meningitis of 19%, with an overall incidence of 0.3 episodes per year. There was a progressive reduction in the incidence of meningitis with time, and most episodes occurred within the first year following the onset of the CSF leak. However, the risk persisted as long as the CSF leak was active.
The overall risk of meningitis in patients with persistent CSF rhinorrhea was 19%. The annual incidence of meningitis was 0.3 episodes per year, with most episodes occurring within the first year following the onset of the leak. Endoscopic closure is the treatment of choice in most CSF leaks; if successful, it reduces the risk of meningitis.
838 3. Glucose oxidase test
- ................................................................................................. Intrathecal
Intrathecal and topical fluorescein technique........................................... 838 3. Glucose oxidase test.......................................................... 838 4. Beta-2 transferrin test......................................................... 839