Evaluation of Endoscopic Transnasal versus Non-endoscopic Routes as Surgical Treatment of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea (Meta-Analysis study)

Abstract

erebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a condition that results from an acquired communication between the central nervous system and external environment. Trauma, both iatrogenic and noniatrogenic, contributes to 80%-90% of CSF fistulas. The most common cause of iatrogenic rhinorrhea is functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Management often requires the collaborative care of multiple clinicians. Although CSF rhinorrhea has been traditionally treated with open surgical procedures, the introduction of the rigid endoscope for minimally invasive endonasal procedures has revolutionized treatment for many patients. Nevertheless, there is a scarcity in the published literature regarding the success and complications rates of endoscopic repair of CSF leak. Therefore, we conducted the present systematic review and meta-analysis in order to the safety and efficacy of endoscopic endonasal repair of CSF leak. In the present study, we searched Medline via PubMed, SCOPUS, Web of Science, Google Scholar and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) from their inception till March 2019. Finally, 11 studies (Total No. of patients = 355) were included in the present systematic review and meta-analysis. The majority of the included studies were retrospective studies (No. =7).