Otolaryngology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhoea most commonly occurs as a result of trauma (surgical and non-surgical), neoplasms, infections, congenital malformations and sometimes spontaneously. Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) though the ear structures is a rare but potentially life-threatening situation that requires rapid intervention. The presence of an abnormal communication of the sterile subarachnoid space with the flora of the sinonasal tract places the patient at great risk for meningitis or in fact, an episode of meningitis may be the presenting problem for a person with CSF otorrhoea. The presentation looks at the aetiopathogenesis, clinical presentations and management options for the condition, and looks at our experience of last 20 years in managing such patients in a tertiary referral centre in Edinburgh. 34 cases were identified in the last 20 years. Surgical repair was carried out using either a transmastoid or middle cranial fossa approach for smaller defects or combined cranioplasty for larger defects. The primary success rate of surgery was 91.7% (31 of 34). Closure rates were 100% when a multilayer technique was used (primary graft plus an autologous or allogenic material)

Biography

Mohammed Iqbal Syed completed his MBBS and a Master?s degree in Otolaryngology from the Pune University in India. He completed his specialist training (DLO and FRCS) from the United Kingdom and was awarded a travelling fellowship to the University Hospital in Zurich and the TWJ clinical fellowship in Otology/Skull base surgery at the University of Toronto. He has published over 25 peer reviewed papers and presently is a Consultant in Otology and Skull base surgery at the Royal Infirmary/Western Infirmary in Edinburgh.