Skull Base 1997; 7(4): 193-197
DOI: 10.1055/s-2008-1058595
Case Reports

© Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc., 381 Park Avenue South, New York, NY 10016

Sphenoid Cranial Base Defects in Siblings Presenting with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak

Joseph M. Bernstein, J. Thomas Roland, Mark S. Persky
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
03 March 2008 (online)

Abstract

Two sisters presented to our medical center with nontraumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulas from left sphenoid sinocranial junction defects. One sister had recurrent meningitis over a 20-year period that prompted a skull base evaluation. Four years later, her younger sister presented with profuse CSF rhinorrhea. Transethmoid sphenoidotomy with sinus obliteration and lumbar-subarachnoid temporary CSF diversion successfully treated one sister, while the other required reoperation and permanent lumbar-peritoneal shunting. In both cases the skull base defect was identically located in the posterolateral left sphenoid sinus. Embryological considerations, evaluation and management are presented.