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

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Sphenoid Cranial Base Defects in Siblings Presenting with Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak

Joseph M. Bernstein, J. Thomas Roland, Mark S. Persky
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Publication Date:
03 March 2008 (online)

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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.

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