Surgical management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea under endoscopic control.

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.