Double seal technique to obliterate the eustachian tube orifice: a novel method for the treatment of recalcitrant cerebrospinal fluid leak.

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate a novel and effective surgical technique for the treatment of refractory cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea after skull base surgery. The novel surgical technique is described and the findings of a review of relevant world English-language publications are reported. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old woman, otherwise fit and well, presented with more than a 2-year history of right-sided facial pain. A diagnosis of classical trigeminal neuralgia was made. Surgical treatment was undertaken with a retromastoid suboccipital craniotomy. Post-operatively, the patient showed signs of right-sided cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea which was recalcitrant. In light of a continuous leak and several hospital admissions, a novel technique was performed whereby the eustachian tube orifice was obliterated using an endonasal endoscopic approach. The technique proved to be successful, with no further leakage. CONCLUSION: Endoscopic obliteration of the eustachian tube using a double seal technique is a simple, safe and effective procedure in the treatment of a refractory cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Nasal sarcoidosis: a cause for a medical rhinoplasty?

OBJECTIVE: We report the use of triamcinolone injections to correct severe nasal deformity due to sarcoidosis, as an alternative to formal surgical rhinoplasty. CASE REPORT: A 30-year-old woman with a long-standing history of sarcoidosis presented to a tertiary referral rhinology clinic complaining of breathing difficulty and nasal deformity. Flexible nasoendoscopy revealed red nasal plaques typical of nasal sarcoidosis, together with significant widening of the nasal bridge. Triamcinolone, a long-acting corticosteroid, was injected both intralesionally and subcutaneously over the nasal dorsum, at zero, three and eight months, resulting in long-lasting improvement of the nasal shape. CONCLUSION: Sarcoidosis is a non-caseating, granulomatous, epithelioid inflammation. Otorhinolaryngological manifestations occur in approximately 10 per cent of patients; however, there is little published experience of nasal reconstruction in such patients. We describe a quick, simple and relatively cost-effective technique, with little or no co-morbidity, with which to improve the aesthetic and symptomatic outcomes of nasal sarcoidosis.