Background The association between spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid CSF leak/rhinorrhea and idiopathic intracranial hypertension IIH has been increasingly recognized over the last years However considerable variability of opinion regarding the assessment investigations and management of patients with spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea remains Methods A consensus group was formed from experts from Europe Asia Australia South and North America Following literature review and open discussions with members of the panel a set of statements was produced A modified Delphi method was used to refine expert opinion with rounds of questionnaires and a consensus group meeting in Santo-Rhino meeting in September Results Fi y statements of total on spontaneous CSF leak and IIH reached consensus In of statements the median response was strongly agree and in the remaining statements the median response was agree Eleven statements were excluded because they did not reach consensus and one new statement was added during SantoRhino meeting The final statements refer to patient history and clinical examination "History taking should include presence of headache tinnitus and visual defects" investigations role of Thin Slice Computed Tomography and CISS/FLAIR sequences in Magnetic Resonance Imaging principles of management watchful waiting or measures to reduce ICP are supplementary but cannot subsitute surgical closure surgical technique intraoperative early postoperative and long term management Conclusion We present fi y consensus statements on the diagnosis investigation and management of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea based on the currently available evidence and expert opinion Although by no means comprehensive and final we believe they can contribute to the standardization of clinical practice Early diagnosis prompt surgical closure of the defect assesment for and treatment of potentially co-existing idiopathic intracranial hypertension in a comprehensive multidisciplinary approach are essential in order to successfully manage spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea reduce associated morbidity and prevent recurrence

Skull base surgery has gone through significant changes with the development of extended endoscopic endonasal approaches over the last decade. Initially used for the transphenoidal removal of hypophyseal adenomas, the endoscopic transnasal approach gradually evolved into a way of accessing the whole ventral skull base. Improved visualization, avoidance of brain retraction, the ability to access directly tumours with minimal damage to critical neurosurgical structures as well lack of external scars are among its obvious benefits. However, it presents the surgeons with a number of challenges, including the need to deal endoscopically with potential arterial bleeding, complicated reconstruction requirements as well as the need for a true team approach. In this review drawing from our experience as well as published series, we present an overview of current indications, challenges and limitations of the expanded endonasal approaches to the skull base.

Purpose of review Advances in anterior skull base surgery have resulted in the increasing diversification of reconstructive techniques. New vascularized flaps have been suggested in the last years, some quite similar, whereas new uses and applications have been suggested for some vascularized flaps, which have already established their value over the last decades. In this article, we describe the developments in skull base reconstruction with vascularized flaps and analyse the international experience in the use of vascularized flaps published with a focus on the last 18 months. Recent findings Over the past 18 months, a number of novel or modified vascularized intranasal flaps have been described, focusing on reconstruction of larger defects, the medial orbital wall, the anterior skull base (septal flip-flap) and dissection of the nasoseptal flap from the SPA foramen. Extranasal vascularized flaps, which have been around for a long time, still have their rightful place in skull base reconstruction and have recently been adjusted for endoscopic use. Summary We present an overview of the latest developments in vascularized flaps (intranasal and extranasal), their new implications, their modifications and complications or predictions of viability.