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Published on: February 29, 2020
Does Meningitis Stop CSF Rhinorrhea following Lateral Skull Base Surgery?
Tass H Malik1, Iain A Bruce, Gerard Kelly
1University Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Summary
Meningitis does not resolve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks after skull base surgery. This study found no evidence that meningitis aids CSF leak cessation, advising against delaying surgical intervention for CSF rhinorrhea.
Area of Science:
- Neurosurgery
- Infectious Disease
Background:
- Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea can occur after lateral skull base surgery.
- Meningitis has been theorized to resolve CSF leaks via fibrosis and fibrin formation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between meningitis and the resolution of CSF rhinorrhea.
- To determine if meningitis aids in the spontaneous cessation of CSF leaks post-surgery.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective study of 232 patients undergoing lateral skull base surgery.
- Analysis of 29 patients who developed CSF rhinorrhea, including 7 who subsequently developed meningitis.
Main Results:
- Meningitis did not appear to aid in the resolution of CSF rhinorrhea in the studied cases.
- Conservative treatment failed in 6 out of 7 patients who developed meningitis and CSF leak.
Conclusions:
- Surgical intervention for CSF rhinorrhea should not be delayed.
- Expectation of meningitis or conservative treatment promoting CSF leak resolution is not supported by this study.
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