Risk factors of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea following transsphenoidal surgery

Objective. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a potentially life-threatening complication following transsphenoidal surgery (TSS). Methods. To elucidate the risk factors that may affect the incidence of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea, we retrospectively reviewed 200 consecutive cases of TSS performed by a single surgeon for 168 adenomas and 32 other sellar and parasellar lesions. Results. Intra-operative CSF leakage was encountered in 38 cases (19.0%). Its incidence did not correlate to tumor size. Among 4 microadenoma cases with CSF leak, 3 were ACTH adenomas. In contrast, postoperative CSF rhinorrhea was observed in 5 cases (2.5%), all following TSS for adenomas. It was frequently noted in cases with prior TSS (3/40, 7.5%, p = 0.0235) and prior radiotherapy (2/7, 28.6%, p < 0.0001). Two cases who required surgical intervention had received TSS and radiotherapy previously. Conclusion. The risk of postoperative CSF rhinorrhea is significantly increased in cases with prior TSS or radiotherapy or both. In addition, these cases tended to show delayed CSF leaks and require sellar reconstruction for its treatment. When a CSF leak was encountered during TSS in these high-risk cases, thorough sellar reconstruction and long-term follow-up is necessary.