Conditions Treated

CSF Leaks and Meningocoeles

Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, the liquid that bathes and cushions the brain, through the nasal passages can occur either spontaneously or as a results of prior brain, skull base or sinus surgery. Sometimes the covering of the brain can herniate into the sinuses causing a CSF leak – this is called a “Meningocoele.” If some of the brain also herniates into the sinuses this is called an “Encephalocoele. If brain fluid leaks out through the nose, there is a risk of acquiring an infection of the brain called meningitis or encephalitis.The nasal discharge is usually clear and is persisitant .  It may increase with physical exertion. Thus, the area of the leak must be closed as soon as possible. Traditionally, a large skull opening was required to see the site of the leak after lifting up the frontal lobe of the brain. Now, with minimally-invasive endoscopic techniques, the site of the fluid leak can be approached directly through the nose and closed, without touching the brain or opening up the skull.

csf leak
csf leak
CSF leak / Meningocoele

CSF leak / Meningocoele

CSF Leak / Encephalocele Publications

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Nonrandom spatial clustering of spontaneous anterior fossa cerebrospinal fluid fistulas and predilection for the posterior cribriform plate

Richard D. Murray MD, Rachel Friedlander AB1, Samuel Hanz, Harminder Singh MD, Vijay K. Anand MD, and Theodore H. Schwartz MD

world neurosurgery

The Endoscopic Endonasal Approach to Repair of Iatrogenic and Noniatrogenic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Encephaloceles of the Anterior Cranial Fossa

Jeffrey C.Bedrosian, Vijay K.Anand, Theodore H.Schwartz

world neurosurgery

Low-dose intrathecal fluorescein and etiology-based graft choice in endoscopic endonasal closure of CSF leaks

Matei A.Banua, Joon-Hyung Kim, Benjamin J. Shina, Graeme F. Woodworth, Vijay K.Anand, Theodore H.Schwartz

world neurosurgery

Endoscopic management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea

Gurston G. Nyquist MD, Vijay K.Anand MD, FACS, Theodore H. Schwartz MD, FACS

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Endoscopic endonasal repair of anterior skull base non-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leaks, meningoceles, and encephaloceles

Clinical Article

Gurston G. Nyquist M.D., Vijay K. Anand M.D., Saral Mehra M.D., M.B.A., Ashutosh Kacker M.D., and Theodore H. Schwartz M.D.