Management of Traumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea using External Ethmoidectomy Approach

비외사골동수술법을 이용한 외상성 뇌척수액 비루의 치료

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea usually occurs as a result of trauma including operation. Unheated CSF rhinorrhea may induce major morbidity such as meningitis and brain abscess, etc. This paper presents a review of four cases of traumatic CSF rhinorrhea Sites of CSF leakage were easily found out by intrathecal fluorescent dye injection. Surgery was performed by external ethmoidectomy approach and dural tear and bone defect was repaired with abdominal fat and free mucosal graft taken from amputated middle turbinates. We conclude that repair using free fat and mucosal graft via external ethmoidectomy approach could be accepted as the intial method of CSF rhinorrhea management.