Should the Impact of Postural Change of Intracranial Pressure After Surgical Repair of Skull Base Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks Be Considered? A Preliminary Survey.

INTRODUCTION: Managing skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks is often challenging. Postoperative care, especially regarding postural restrictions and bedrest recommendations, is variable and continues to be based on empirical habits. METHODS: An electronic survey was submitted to French experts in skull base surgery to evaluate current practice of postoperative postural recommendations in patients treated for skull base CSF leaks. RESULTS: Thirty-nine experts completed the survey. Postoperative recommendations were heterogenous. They depended on the size of defects: half of the surgeons did not recommend any constraints of posture for small defects; 84% recommended bed rest for large defects. The most preferred bed-rest modality was Fowler's position (20°-30° tilt). Standing/walking during short periods was allowed in up to 73%. From a physiological viewpoint, head elevation decreases ICP and thus limits the risk of recurrence of CSF leak. However, ICP can fall below 0 in the standing position, favouring pneumocephalus. DISCUSSION: These results confirmed that postural recommendations for patients surgically treated for skull base CSF leaks remain variable. Recommendations should take into consideration the postural change in ICP. Fowler's position may represent the best compromise between risk of recurrence of CSF leak and the risk of pneumocephalus in large CSF leaks.

Choanal Polyp with Osseous Metaplasia: Radiological and Therapeutic Management of a Rare Case and a Review of Bone Metaplastic Lesions of Sinonasal Tract.

BACKGROUND Osseous metaplasia is a heterotopic normal bone in soft tissues. It is occasionally found in mucosal polyps of the external auditory canal, tongue, gut, stomach, nasal cavity, and uterus. Choanal polyp with osseous metaplasia originating from the lateral wall of the nasopharynx has not been previously reported. In fact, osseous metaplasia in nasal polyps represents a very uncommon histological finding with only 12 cases described in the literature. CASE REPORT We reported here, the clinical, radiological, and therapeutic management of a nasopharynx choanal polyp in a patient with severe nasal obstruction and rhinolalia history. Endoscopic examination of nasal cavities revealed a polypoid-like mass in the left nasal fossa, extending to the choanal area and nasopharynx. Computed tomography scan and contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the presence of a solitary and lobulated mass in the choanal area and nasopharynx. We performed the removal of the mass through careful hemostasis of left sphenopalatine artery using both transnasal and transoral paths, with no complications for the patient. Histopathological examination of the biopsy revealed a benign inflammatory polyp with osseous metaplasia. No recurrence was noted 24 months after surgery. CONCLUSIONS The incidence of ossifying areas in nasal polyps is very low, with only 12 cases reported in the literature. Ossifying polyps originating from the lateral wall of nasopharynx has never been reported before. The use of a combined endoscopic and transoral surgical approach was shown to be reliable in terms of adequate exposure and visualization of the lesion, control of bleeding, and complete removal of the mass.