"Sealing the Gap" : CSF Leakage Demystified-A Comprehensive Analysis of our Experience in CSF Rhinorrhea Management.

CSF (Cerebro Spinal Fluid) rhinorrhoea occurs when the fluid leaks from subarachnoid space into the nasal cavity. The study aims to find out the prevalence and demographic distribution of CSF leak and to describe the site of the CSF leak along with the management. We did a prospective study on 180 patients admitted with head injury in neurosurgery department, along with the patients who came to ENT department with unilateral nasal discharge during the time period from March 2017 to March 2021. A total of 36 cases of CSF leak were obtained during the time period. The etiology in 18 cases was head injury & the other 18 cases were either due to infectious or nontraumatic causes. In our study, 26(72.22%) patients were aged less than 50 years. Incidence was more among males compared to females. The most common etiology was head injury - 18(50%) patients followed by the spontaneous leak- 16 (44.44%) patients with the most common site as the cribriform plate. Endoscopic repair using a hadad flap was done in most of the patients. Trauma due to head injury is the most common etiology in CSF rhinorrhea with more number of patients aged less than 50 years. Most of the leaks can be repaired successfully with the use of endoscope with excellent illumination & localizing the exact site of the leak.

Anatomical Variations of Sphenoid Sinus in South Indian Population: All That You Need for Trans-Sphenoidal Pituitary Surgery.

Pituitary adenomas are one among the most common neurosurgical tumors with an incidence of 10-25% among intracranial neoplasms (Ezzat et al., Cancer 101:613-619, 2004). Surgical management for the same has been practiced since long, and has evolved from trans cranial approach to endoscopic trans sphenoidal method (Hammer and Radberg, Acta Radiol 56:401-422, 1961). Preoperative radiological analysis with CT &MRI is inevitable in planning endonasal trans-sphenoid surgery to avoid complications because of the high variability concerned with sphenoid anatomy. The present study intends to analyze the incidence of various anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus in a cohort of south Indian population as detected by CT& MRI and assess its impact on surgical approach. Retrospective analysis of CT&MRI images of patients who underwent Endonasal Trans-sphenoidal resection of pituitary tumors at JSS Hospital Mysuru from a period of 2009 to 2020 is done. Anatomical variations of sphenoid sinus esp. degree of pneumatization, sellar configuration, septation pattern, inter carotid distance were evaluated. Results were significant and in concordance with other similar studies. Most frequently encountered pnuematization was sellar type and least was conchal type Sphenoid sinus pneumatization is directly linked to safe access to sella. Presence of septae within sinus need to be identified preoperatively to avoid damage and confusion intraoperatively. A meticulous preoperative analysis of sphenoid sinus anatomy will help surgeon in smooth conduct of a complication free surgery.

Modified Transclavicular-Transmanubrial Approach to Cervicothoracic Spine: Revisiting and Renovating the Path - Lessons Learned.

INTRODUCTION: A thorough knowledge of the vital structures adds to the safety in approaching the cervicothoracic spine junction. The best described method to reach the spine is via viscero-neurovascular space. We present our experience of 10 cases operated at our institute using the modified transclavicular transmanubrial approach to the cervicothoracic spine pathology.As we gained experience we have used various corridors to the operating field and used a new space to approach the lower cervicothoracic junction spine. METHODS: Between February 2011 to August 2015, 10 patients with disease in upper thoracic vertebral body were admitted and evaluated clinically and radiologically. Neurological status in all cases was graded according to Frankel grading system.Patients were followed up with Histopathological reports and treated accordingly. RESULTS: All patients(except metastasis) improved by 1 or 2 grade in post op period. Metastasis patients remained in same grade. CONCLUSION: Anterior approach with its modifications are the better suited biomechanically for exploring the pathology of cervicothoracic spine,its decompression and stabilization. Also it preserves the stability of shoulder girdle with good neurological and cosmetic outcome.

Histopathological Study of Central Nervous System Lesions: Emphasizing Association of Neoplasms with ABO Blood Groups.

INTRODUCTION: The Central Nervous System (CNS) lesions show considerable geographic and racial variations with respect to the incidence and the pattern of distribution of lesions. The ABO blood status is a readily accessible factor in genetic constitution of the patients. It has been shown to be associated with many diseases. But the influence of blood group status on the pathogenesis of brain tumours is still unclear. AIM: To study various histopathological patterns of CNS lesions and to evaluate the association of CNS tumours with the distribution of ABO blood groups in documented cases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the present study, 147 cases were analyzed. It was an analytical type of study, done at JSS Medical College, Mysore, over a period of 2 years and 8 months from January 2009 to August 2011. Histopathology slides were routinely stained by Haematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) stain. Special stains were performed in selected cases. Blood group of the patients and the control group were documented. Blood group distribution pattern was assessed in relation to histopathological diagnosis of various CNS tumours. RESULTS: Histopathological diagnosis of 147 cases included neoplastic lesions (84.35%) and non-neoplastic lesions (15.64%). Neoplastic lesions (84.35%) constituted the majority, which included neuroepithelial tumours (29.25%) as predominant pattern. Non-neoplastic lesions constituted only 15.64%, which included inflammatory lesion (8.16%) as the predominant pattern. ABO blood group data was available in 92 cases (84.4%) of neoplastic lesions, which included 71 cases (48.29%) of primary CNS neoplasms categorized according to WHO grades. The control group constituted 21,067 healthy voluntary donors. Blood group O was the most frequent blood group in neoplastic lesions (40.21%) and primary CNS neoplasms categorized according to WHO grades (45.07%). The association between the CNS neoplasms and ABO blood groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.055). But a definite change in the pattern of distribution of ABO blood groups observed between neoplastic lesions and control groups. CONCLUSION: The influence of blood group types on the development of brain tumours appears intriguing and needs to be well established. Though statistically insignificant, a definite change in the pattern of distribution of ABO blood groups was observed between neoplastic lesions and control groups. This necessitates attention and stratification of patients for effective management.