Early Postoperative Computed Tomography Scan Air Distribution Predicts Postoperative CSF Leak in Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery

BACKGROUND: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak remains the primary concern of endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS). Pneumocephalus seen in postoperative images has been linked to CSF leak in some reports; however, few studies have looked at the extent to which it is indicative of CSF leak. In the current study, we aim to examine the size and location of post-ESBS pneumocephalus in the early postoperative period and determine their association with postoperative CSF leak.METHODS: Patients undergoing ESBS in a 5-year period were included. All patients underwent brain computed tomography scan within the first 24 postoperative hours. Computed tomography scans were reviewed by a neuro-surgeon and a radiologist and have been classified based on the size and location of pneumocephalus. Patients were followed in the postoperative period for clinical signs of CSF leak and managed accordingly.RESULTS: Out of 120 patients, 86 patients met the inclusion criteria. Thirty-five patients (41%) had no pneumocephalus on day one postoperative imaging, while 51 patients (59%) had pneumocephalus with different sizes and distributions. Eleven of 86 patients developed CSF leak. Of the 11 patients, 5 patients (45%) had grade 4 pneumocephalus (Pvalue = 0.02). Patients with multiple locations of pneumocephalus were more likely to develop CSF leak (Pvalue = 0.01).CONCLUSIONS: In post-ESBS patients, both the volume and location of the pneumocephalus are potentially predictive of CSF leak. In patients with a larger volume of intra-axial air and/or multiple air locations, an impending CSF leak should be anticipated.

Automated summary

This study found that the volume and location of pneumocephalus in the early postoperative period of endoscopic skull base surgery (ESBS) are potentially predictive of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Patients with larger volumes of intra-axial air and/or multiple air locations are more likely to develop CSF leak.