Endoscopic Endonasal Anterior Skull Base Meningoencephalocele and Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak Repair: Our Intraoperative...

Objective  We evaluated the long-term outcomes from a single neurosurgeon and otolaryngologist team using a specific operative protocol for repair and postoperative evaluation. Design  The charts of patients undergoing endoscopic endonasal repair of meningoencephaloceles (MECs) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks were retrospectively reviewed from 2015 to 2023. Intraoperative steps of the repair and reconstruction were analyzed. Patients' postoperative assessments and complications were analyzed. Setting  Loyola University Medical Center's electronic medical record database. Participants  Forty-three patients (32 female) aged between 11 and 81 years. Main Outcome Measures  Long-term outcomes of patients who underwent endoscopic endonasal repair of MECs and CSF leaks by a single team and protocol. We hypothesized that there would be minimal complications and no recurrences, requiring secondary operation. Results  The most common site for MECs was the cribriform plate. Lumbar drain opening pressures ranged from 10 to 35 cm H ₂ O with 18 out of 34 patients having the lumbar drain removed immediately postoperatively. The median hospital stay was 3 days. The average length of follow-up was 3.8 years. No recurrences or secondary operations were noted in all patients. One patient had a sinonasal infection that was successfully treated. Eight patients were noted to have venous stenosis and underwent further evaluation. Conclusion  This study represents one of the largest long-term analyses of outcomes by a single team. Our specific protocol for the endoscopic endonasal repair of anterior skull base MECs and CSF leaks is safe and effective. These patients should be evaluated and treated for elevated intracranial pressure following the repair.