Forty-two patients with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea presenting over a 5 year period were analyzed as to age, sex, etiology, anatomical and clinical findings, and methods of investigation and treatment. Eighty-eight were traumatic in origin, with the most common anatomical sites being ethmoid, frontal and sphenoid sinuses, and the cribriform plate region. Meningitis and pneumocephalus were the most frequently associated clinical findings each present in 31% of the cases. Chemical analysis of the CSF for protein was positive in 88% of cases vs. 13% when the protein content was quantitatively analyzed. The demonstration and localization of CSF leaks were most effective using metrizamide and CAT scanning when they were active and by indium cisternography when they were small, intermittent, or questionable. The clinical management was divided into medical and surgical approaches with the advantages and disadvantages discussed.

Forty-three cases of isolated sphenoid sinus disease were reviewed. In 33 cases, headache was a presenting symptom. Seven of 29 cases of inflammatory disease and nine of 13 patients with tumors of the sinus presented with cranial nerve findings. When nonspecific visual disturbances were eliminated, two of 29 cases of inflammation and eight of 13 cases of tumors of the sphenoid sinus had cranial nerve deficits. Ten of 12 CT scans performed on patients with tumors of the sinus demonstrated bony erosion or perisinus extensions. This was not found in any of the 27 scans of patients with inflammatory disease. A thorough cranial nerve examination and a CT scan should be performed early in patients who present with vague and unusual headaches.

Diffuse nasal polyposis remains a challenge despite recent improvements in endonasal surgery. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the results after a radical complete sphenoethmoidectomy with peroperative and postoperative frontal irrigation in cases of diffuse nasal polyposis. In this prospective study, we include 50 consecutive patients with diffuse nasal polyposis suffering from nasal obstruction, anosmia, and other symptoms of chronic sinusitis. All patients were refractory to medical therapy. In each patient an endoscopic complete sphenoethmoidectomy including total excision of all diseased ethmoid mucosa was performed. Preoperative and postoperative frontal irrigation was performed systematically. The patients were followed closely with serial endoscopic examination, and CT scanning was performed between 2 and 3 years after surgery. There were no complications. Thirty-nine of the 50 patients regained satisfactory olfaction. Partial nasal obstruction persisted in four of the 50 patients. Endoscopically, polyp recurrence was noted in 3% of posterior ethmoids, 23% of anterior ethmoids, and 50% of frontal recesses. We conclude that in cases of refractory and extensive nasal polyposis, a total sphenoethmoidectomy with perioperative frontal irrigation followed by long-term postoperative topical steroid therapy provides excellent improvement or cure with safety and reliability.

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In this study, the computed tomography scans of 100 patients with chronic hyperplastic rhinosinusitis were reviewed to establish a clinical staging system. Fourteen percent of the patients were classified as Stage I (single-focus disease); 36% as Stage II (multifocal disease responsive to conservative therapy); 32% as Stage III (diffuse disease partially responsive to medication); and 16% as Stage IV (diffuse disease associated with bony changes and poorly responsive to conservative treatment). The incidence of recurrent or persistent disease ranged from 13% for Stage II to 30% for Stage IV. Stage I and III patients had 13% and 18% recurrence rates, respectively. Computed tomography staging is shown to be useful in outlining operative strategies and is a reliable prognosticator of the disease process.