Recurrent meningitis associated with frontal sinus tuber encephalocele in a patient with tuberous sclerosis

2011 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-106 ◽  
Author(s):  
Samer K. Elbabaa ◽  
Angela D. Riggs ◽  
Ali G. Saad

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a genetic neurocutaneous disorder that commonly affects the CNS. The most commonly associated brain tumors include cortical tubers, subependymal nodules, and subependymal giant cell astrocytomas (SEGAs). The authors report an unusual case of recurrent meningitis due to a tuber-containing encephalocele via the posterior wall of the frontal sinus. An 11-year-old girl presented with a history of TSC and previous SEGA resection via interhemispheric approach. She presented twice within 4 months with classic bacterial meningitis. Cerebrospinal fluid cultures revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae. Computed tomography and MR imaging of the brain showed a right frontal sinus encephalocele via a posterior frontal sinus wall defect. Both episodes of meningitis were treated successfully with standard regimens of intravenous antibiotics. The neurosurgical service was consulted to discuss surgical options. Via a bicoronal incision, a right basal frontal craniotomy was performed. A large frontal encephalocele was encountered in the frontal sinus. The encephalocele was herniating through a bony defect of the posterior sinus wall. The encephalocele was ligated and resected followed by removing frontal sinus mucosa and complete cranialization of frontal sinus. Repair of the sinus floor was conducted with fat and pericranial grafts followed by CSF diversion via lumbar drain. Histopathology of the resected encephalocele showed a TSC tuber covered with respiratory (frontal sinus) mucosa. Tuber cells were diffusely positive for GFAP. The patient underwent follow-up for 2 years without evidence of recurrent meningitis or CSF rhinorrhea. This report demonstrates that frontal tubers of TSC can protrude into the frontal sinus as acquired encephaloceles and present with recurrent meningitis. To the authors' knowledge, recurrent meningitis is not known to coincide with TSC. Careful clinical and radiographic follow-up for frontal tubers in patients with TSC is recommended.

1979 ◽  
Vol 51 (6) ◽  
pp. 870-871 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Anne Hayman ◽  
Alfonso E. Aldama-Luebbert ◽  
Robert A. Evans

✓ A large air-filled intracranial extradural diverticulum of the frontal sinus mucosa was removed from the anterior cranial fossa of a 47-year-old man 2 years after fracture of the posterior sinus wall during craniotomy.


1992 ◽  
Vol 71 (7) ◽  
pp. 311-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
David T. Daly ◽  
William M. Lydiatt ◽  
Frederic P. Ogren ◽  
Gary F. Moore

This paper presents a review of the extracranial evaluation and treatment of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Diagnosis with attention to a careful history and physical with maneuvers which exacerbate drainage and thorough physical exam along with imaging techniques are discussed. The common etiologies of CSF rhinorrhea including trauma, spontaneous leakage, tumor, and iatrogenic injury are included. Management consists of conservative measures including the avoidance of straining maneuvers which increases intracranial pressure. Periodic drainage of CSF via lumbar puncture or continuous drainage via flow-regulated systems may also be of benefit in attempts of conservative management. Failure of conservative management, constant leakage, pneumocephalus, and recurrent meningitis are indicators for surgical repairs. Ethmoid-cribiform plate region repairs are generally approached by external ethmoidectomy and the development of mucoperiosteal flaps from various donor sites which are then rotated to the leak area to seal the defect. Frontal sinus leaks are usually repaired via an osteoplastic flap technique with direct repair of the dural defect or the use of fascial graft tucked under the bony defect, then obliterated with abdominal fat. CSF rhinorrhea presents a diagnostic and surgical challenge to the otolaryngologist. After diagnosis and localization, operative repair using extracranial approaches is accepted as the initial method of intervention in these cases.


2011 ◽  
Vol 125 (8) ◽  
pp. 802-806 ◽  
Author(s):  
P Thulasi Das ◽  
D Balasubramanian

AbstractIntroduction:Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea is the abnormal leakage of cerebrospinal fluid into the nasal cavity. The posterior wall of the frontal sinus can be the site of such leakage. Traditionally, these leaks were repaired via external osteoplastic or neurosurgical approaches. Despite advances in instrumentation, it is difficult to manage superiorly or laterally placed defects endoscopically. We present a new technique of endoscopic repair of frontal sinus posterior wall defects, via access holes drilled in the anterior wall of the frontal sinus.Study design:Preliminary study involving patients presenting with frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid leaks, with defects in the frontal sinus posterior wall, between 2006 and 2010.Setting:Patients were treated in a tertiary referral centre for nose and sinus diseases. Patient records were reviewed and analysed.Results:Nine patients underwent external frontal sinusotomy under endoscopic vision. Repair was successful in all cases, with no complications. Follow up ranged from three months to three years.Conclusion:External frontal sinusotomy and endoscopic repair is a simple, precise and cosmetically acceptable alternative to osteoplastic and major neurosurgical techniques for management of frontal sinus posterior wall defects. This new, previously undescribed technique enables otolaryngologists to play a role in managing such defects.


2016 ◽  
Vol 07 (02) ◽  
pp. 310-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ajit Kumar Sinha ◽  
Sumit Goyal

ABSTRACT Study Design: Retrospective descriptive study of an innovative surgical technique. Objective: To assess the feasibility and success of repair of transfrontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea through pterional transcranial extradural approach using endoscope. Summary of Background Data: Repair of CSF rhinorrhea has seen advancement with the evolution of endoscopic transnasal techniques. However, leaks from defect in the posterior wall of frontal sinus still remain a challenge for the skull base surgeons and requires conventional craniotomy more often. We describe a novel technique to repair these leaks by purely endoscopic pterional extradural (PEPE) approach thereby avoiding complications associated with conventional craniotomy and endoscopic transnasal approaches. Materials and Methods: Thirty-five patients with traumatic CSF rhinorrhea from the posterior wall of frontal sinus underwent repair with the present technique. They were followed up for 6–18 months and were evaluated for feasibility of procedure, recurrence of leak, and occurrence of the fresh neurological deficit. Results: Thirty-five patients underwent CSF rhinorrhea repair using the above technique. The procedure was accomplished in all patients without any intraoperative complications. There was no requirement of blood transfusion in any case. All patients had a cessation of CSF leak in the postoperative period, and there was no recurrence. There was no evidence of frontal lobe retraction injury in any of these patients, and no fresh neurological deficit was observed. Conclusion: This PEPE approach to repair CSF leak through the posterior wall of the frontal sinus is a novel technique in which we can avoid disadvantages associated with both conventional craniotomy as well as transnasal endoscopic approaches.


2008 ◽  
Vol 123 (1) ◽  
pp. 145-147 ◽  
Author(s):  
J K Anverali ◽  
A A Hassaan ◽  
H A Saleh

AbstractObjective:To describe a previously unreported case of repair of a lateral frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid leak, using the endoscopic modified Lothrop procedure.Method:Case report of new technique, with reference to the world literature.Results:An effective endoscopic, transnasal repair of a lateral frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid leak was achieved in a 60-year-old man. The defect was closed with fat, fascia lata and free mucosal grafts. The left nasal cavity was packed and a lumbar drain left in situ post-operatively. The drain and packs were removed one week later and the patient discharged with no complications, and no recurrence at 12 months' follow up.Conclusion:Such cerebrospinal fluid leaks have traditionally been repaired using an external approach with osteoplastic flaps and obliteration of the sinus. We highlight the endoscopic modified Lothrop technique as an effective alternative approach to repair of cerebrospinal fluid leaks in poorly accessible areas of the frontal sinus.


2017 ◽  
Vol 31 (6) ◽  
pp. 406-411 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javaneh Jahanshahi ◽  
Mehdi Zeinalizadeh ◽  
Hasan Reza Mohammadi ◽  
Seyed Mousa Sadrehosseini

Background A frontal sinus leak is uncommon and is seen in ∼15% of cases of patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea. Now, endonasal endoscopic techniques have been reported to reconstruct skull base defects in the frontal sinus with a favorable outcome. Objective To review our experience in the repair of frontal sinus CSF leaks through an endonasal endoscopic approach. Methods Twenty-four patients with a frontal sinus leak who underwent endonasal endoscopic repair entered the study. Clinical presentation, location, frontal sinusotomy, graft material, follow-up, and frontal sinus status were evaluated. Results Among >100 cases of surgically repaired CST rhinorrhea, the frontal sinus was the site of the leak in 24 patients (mean age, 28.9 years; mean follow-up, 22 months). The etiology consisted of spontaneous leak and traumatic leak; whereas patients with skull base reconstruction after removal of tumor were excluded. Surgical approaches included Draf IIb, Draf III, Draf IIa in 20, 3, and 1 patients, respectively. Tree autografts as two-layer inlay fat–muscle and onlay fascia lata were used in the majority of patients. A success rate was achieved in 95.83% of the patients. Conclusion Endonasal endoscopic repair of a frontal sinus leak was a successful procedure, with a low failure rate and minimal morbidity.


2005 ◽  
Vol 119 (9) ◽  
pp. 709-713 ◽  
Author(s):  
B A Woodworth ◽  
R J Schlosser ◽  
J N Palmer

Objective: To describe endoscopic management of frontal sinus cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks.Study design: Retrospective.Methods: We reviewed all frontal sinus CSF leaks treated using an endoscopic approach at ourinstitutions from 1998 to 2003. CSF leaks originated immediately adjacent to or within the frontal recess or frontal sinus proper for inclusion in the study. Data collected included demographics, presenting signs and symptoms, site and size of skull-base defect, surgical approach, repair technique, and clinical follow up.Results: Seven frontal sinus CSF leaks in six patients were repaired endoscopically. Average age of presentation was 45 years (range 25–65 years). Aetiology was idiopathic (three), congenital (one), accidental trauma (one), and surgical trauma (two). All patients presented with CSF rhinorrhea; two patients presented with meningitis. Four defects originated in the frontal recess, while two others involved the posterior table and frontal sinus outflow tract. Four patients had associated encephaloceles. We performed endoscopic repair in all six patients withone patient requiring an adjuvant osteoplastic flap without obliteration. All repairs were successful at the first attempt with a mean follow up of 13 months. All frontal sinuses remained patent on both post-operative endoscopic and radiographic exam.Conclusions: Endoscopic repair of frontal sinus CSF leaks and encephaloceles can be an effective method if meticulous attention is directed toward preservation of the frontal sinus outflow tract, thus avoiding an osteoplastic flap and obliteration. The major limiting factor for an endoscopic approach is extreme extension superiorly or laterally within the posterior table beyond the reach of current instrumentation.


2021 ◽  
Vol 108 (Supplement_6) ◽  
Author(s):  
G Adegboyega ◽  
H A Elhassan ◽  
J Zocchi ◽  
A Lambertoni ◽  
G Bozkurt ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are managed successfully with endonasal surgery. Endoscopic closure of CSF leaks from posterior table of the frontal sinus remains challenging. Vascularized Hadad-Bassagasteguy flap (HBF) reconstruction of the skull base has increased CSF closure rates but does not extend to frontal sinus. We describe our technique using septal flap pedicled by anterior ethmoid artery (AEA) for repairing frontal defects. Method Retrospective review of cases of frontal CSF leak repair using the AEA flap reconstruction. Flap design: an anterior vertical septal mucosa incision at posterior border of the frontal sinusotomy is made and extended to nasal floor. Posterior vertical incision is made 1 cm posterior to the projection of the axilla of the middle turbinate on the septum and extended to nasal floor. A horizontal incision along the nasal floor joins the two incisions. The flap is raised and rotated into the frontal sinus over the posterior table reconstructed defect. Results Three patients identified. Two males, one female, aged 11, 33 and 56. Patient histories included recurrent bacterial meningitis following head trauma, recurrent sinusitis and fronto-ethmoidal osteoma, with intraoperative CSF leak and CSF rhinorrhea due to meningoencephalocele. The three posterior wall defects were successfully repaired endoscopically with multilayer reconstruction and the AEA septal flap. Conclusions The anterior ethmoid artery septal flap can be successfully utilised for frontal CSF leak repair. Flap is conveniently located for frontal sinus defects. When the septum is intact it provides an excellent final layer as part of multilayer reconstruction.


Author(s):  
L.C. Marras ◽  
T.P. Kalaparambath ◽  
S.E. Black ◽  
D.W. Rowed

ABSTRACT:Background:Tension pneumocephalus, the accumulation of intracranial gas under pressure, is a rare but potentially life-threatening condition which can complicate craniofacial surgery, trauma, or cranial tumor. It presents as an acute or subacute expanding mass lesion.Case Report:We present a case of a 40-year-old male who developed tension pneumocephalus as a consequence of a previously detected but untreated frontal sinus osteoma. Despite prompt decompression and repair of the fistulous connection between the sinus and the intracranial compartment, the patient suffered permanent frontal lobe damage with significant neurocognitive sequelae and seizures.Conclusions:This case illustrates that tension pneumocephalus can be a dangerous entity with potential for early mortality and long-term morbidity. We recommend, therefore, early treatment and close follow up of destructive lesions involving the posterior frontal sinus wall.


2010 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 188-192 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew L. Ko ◽  
Patrik Gabikian ◽  
Jonathan A. Perkins ◽  
David P. Gruber ◽  
Anthony M. Avellino

Anatomical variants of the basiocciput are uncommon and usually clinically benign. While the majority remain undetected, these anomalies rarely manifest as CSF rhinorrhea or recurrent meningitis associated with meningocele. Compromise of the leptomeninges provides an avenue of ingress for pathological organisms and can lead to recurrent meningitis, necessitating operative repair of the defect to prevent infection. A review of the literature reveals only 3 cases in which a congenital basioccipital defect has been associated with a meningocele requiring surgical repair. The authors present a case of recurrent meningitis in an infant with a congenital basioccipital meningocele treated with a minimally invasive endoscopic technique. At the 2-year follow-up the repair remained successful, with no evidence of recurrence of the meningocele or CSF infection. The literature regarding the etiology and treatment of these lesions was reviewed, with an emphasis on the safety and efficacy of the endoscopic approach. Note that recurrent meningitis in the setting of a skull base defect may indicate the presence of other congenital anomalies that will necessitate multidisciplinary care for a patient's long-term well-being.


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