Resolution of Chronic Aspiration Pneumonitis Following Endoscopic Endonasal Repair of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistula of the Skull Base

Abstract

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea due to a skull base defect requires prompt diagnosis and treatment. Multiple surgical options are available for repairing the fistula, including the two-layer “fascial apposition” method and use of a pedicled nasal-septal flap. A 44-year-old obese woman presented with 4 months of progressive cough, exertional dyspnea, hoarseness, and intermittent fluid drainage from the right nostril. Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging and bronchoscopy showed chronic pneumonitis, which was confirmed by pulmonary wedge resection. CT and magnetic resonance imaging of the skull base, as well as laboratory analysis of the nasal fluid for β2-transferrin, confirmed a skull base defect causing CSF rhinorrhea. During surgery, insertion of a lumbar drain with the intrathecal fluorescein administration was performed, followed by endoscopic endonasal repair using an autologous fascial apposition graft and pedicled nasal-septal flap. Both the CSF leak and the pulmonary complications resolved following the operation with no symptoms at 11-month follow-up. This is the first reported case of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea complicated by chronic aspiration and pneumonitis. Increased diagnostic complexity due to chronic pulmonary complications resulted in unnecessary interventions and treatment delays. Prompt recognition of spontaneous CSF leaks is essential to prevent potentially harmful complications.

An uncommon etiological factor for aspiration pneumonitis caused by spontaneous sphenoid sinus meningoencephalocele with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: a case report

“…Meningoencephalocele occurs mainly in infants with a very low incidence and is extremely rare in adults [ 6 ]. Zada et al first reported a case about chronic aspiration-induced pneumonitis caused by spontaneous ethmoid sinus meningocele with CSF rhinorrhea, and indicated that increased diagnostic complexity associated with pulmonary complications led to unnecessary intervention and treatment delays [ 7 ]. CSF rhinorrhea can be considered as a cause of chronic pneumonitis despite the lack of direct evidence [ 8 ].…”

Differential Diagnosis of Pneumonia as a Complication of Nasal Liquorrhea in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…В 2016 году Justin Seltzer и соавт. [16] опубликовали первую статью, посвященную этой проблеме. До этого времени об этом осложнении упоминали при анализе серий случаев лечения назальной ликовреи, однако не были описаны диагностические признаки и методы лечения аспирационной пневмонита.…”