Differential Diagnosis of Pneumonia as a Complication of Nasal Liquorrhea in the Context of the COVID-19 Pandemic

Nasal liquorrhea — the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the cerebrospinal fluid spaces of the cranial cavity into the nasal cavity or paranasal sinuses due to the presence of a congenital or acquired defect in the bones of the skull base and meninges of various etiologies. Nasal liquorrhea leads to potentially fatal complications: meningitis, meningoencephalitis, pneumocephalus, brain abscess. Also, with nasal liquorrhea, less dangerous complications may occur: aspiration bronchopneumonia and gastritis. The article presents a case of aspiration pneumonitis in two patients with nasal liquorrhea treated at the N.N. N.N. Burdenko during the COVID-19 pandemic. Both patients noted the profuse nature of the nasal liquorrhea, complained of coughing in a horizontal position. In both cases, no RNA virus (SARS-CoV-2) was detected during the polymerase chain reaction. Antibodies (IgG, IgM) to coronavirus were not detected. Computed tomography of the chest organs in both cases revealed areas of frosted glass darkening. Since no data was obtained for coronavirus infection (negative tests for coronavirus, lack of antibodies), changes in the lungs were interpreted as a consequence of constant aspiration of cerebrospinal fluid. The patients were admitted to a separate ward. Both patients underwent endoscopic endonasal plasty of the skull base defect. The postoperative period in both cases was uneventful. In both cases, the patients underwent computed tomography scan of the chest organs one month later. On the photographs, the signs of pneumontis completely regressed.

New Nasopharyngeal Flap for Posterior Skull-Base Reconstruction: The Upper-Tongue Flap

Introduction Reconstructions of clival resection are still challenging, and additional reconstructive methods may be necessary to achieve full coverage of the skull-base defect in patients with middle- and lower-clivus disease. Objective To describe a new nasopharyngeal flap for the middle and lower clivus. Methods Using nasal endoscopy in a cadaver dissection, we demonstrated a new nasopharygeal flap to cover the lower and middle clival resection. Results We described a new nasopharyngeal flap capable of covering the lower and middle portion of the clivus. Discussion The new nasopharyngeal flap, called the upper-tongue flap, is particularly adequate as an alternative for the reconstruction of middle and lower clivus defects, and it is better used in association with a nasalseptal flap in cases in which the nasalseptal flap alone does not provide enough mucosal coverage. Conclusion The new nasopharyngeal flap can be used in the reconstruction of clival resection.

“NIMS” nasal mucoperiosteal flap for sublabial trans-sphenoidal surgical defect repair: A new technique under microscope

Background: CSF rhinorrhea is a known complication that may occur after cranial base surgery, especially the trans-sphenoidal approaches to sellar tumors. It may occur following both microscopic and endoscopic procedures. Over a period, the balance has tilted toward endoscopy due to development of pedicled Hadad flap. Microscopic trans-sphenoidal surgery (TSS) continues to be performed in our institute as well as many other centers across the world due to familiarity of technique and unavailability of endoscopic equipment. Despite the fairly widespread use of this surgery, literature is devoid of any description of a local mucosal flap for repair of the surgical defect in microscopic TSS. Methods: We herein described the procedure and our experience of harvesting such flap in 42 patients operated for pituitary adenomas in our department between September 2016 and February 2020, through microscopic sublabial TSS. Results: All 42 of the patients included in this study underwent excision of pituitary tumors (macroadenomas). Thirty-nine (n = 39) patients were undergoing 1st time surgery, while three (n = 3) of these patients were undergoing second surgery following an earlier trans nasal trans-sphenoidal route. None of our cases have reported CSF leak postoperatively. Conclusion: This study attempts to highlight to ardent/obligate microscopic surgeons that a local vascularized flap can be harvested for repair of skull base defect and prevent postoperative CSF leak in microscopic sublabial TSS.

Reconstruction of Complex Lateral Skull Base Defects After Oral Cancer Resection With Individualized Anterolateral Thigh Flap

ObjectivesComplex lateral skull base defects resulting from advanced or recurrent oral cancer resection are continuously challenging reconstructive surgeons. This study aimed to use reconstructive methods for lateral skull base defects, explore their feasibility, and evaluate the efficacy of defect reconstruction using anterolateral thigh (ALT) flaps.Patients and MethodsWe performed a retrospective case series of 37 patients who underwent lateral skull base defect reconstruction using the ALT/anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap between March 2016 and May 2021 at the Second Xiangya Hospital. The design and harvest of the flaps, methods for defect reconstruction, and reconstructive efficacy are described.ResultsOf the 37 patients, 3 were women and 34 were men, with a mean age of 51.7 years. Among the defects, 26 were through-and-through defects and were reconstructed using ALT chimeric flaps, double ALT flaps, folded ALT flap, combined ALT chimeric flaps and AMT flaps, or combined ALT chimeric flaps and pectoralis major flaps; the large lateral skull base dead spaces were filled with muscle tissues or fatty tissues. Postoperatively, 38 of the 39 ALT/AMT flaps survived completely, and the remaining flap experienced partial necrosis. Venous compromise occurred in one patient who was salvaged after operative exploration. Oral and maxillofacial wound infections occurred in two patients, salivary fistula in three patients, and thigh wound effusion in three patients. The wounds healed gradually in all patients after repeated dressing changes. Thirty-three patients were followed up for approximately 3–60 months; their oral functions and appearance were acceptable, and thigh motor dysfunction was not observed.ConclusionsWith the convenient flap design and muscle flap harvest, large and individualized tissue supply, feasible combination with other flaps, effective reduction or avoidance of wound complications, and acceptable donor site morbidity, the ALT flap is an appropriate choice for complex lateral skull base defect reconstruction.

RECONSTRUCTION OF LARGE ANTERIOR SKULL BASE DEFECTS AFTER RESECTION OF SINONASAL TUMORS WITH INTRACRANIAL EXTENSION BY USING PEDICLED DOUBLE FLAP TECHNIQUES

Background: Surgical resection of a large anterior skull base (ASB) tumor and sinonasal maglinancies with intracranial extension will result a large skull base defect. Reconstruction of large ASB defects by using traditional techniques may result in high risk of postoperative CSF leakage, meningitis and increase mortality rate. The use of pedicled double flap technique to reconstruct the anterior skull base defect may decrease the complications. In this study, we examine the clinical outcomes of patients who underwent this double flap reconstruction technique after the resection of sinonasal malignancies with significant intracranial extension at Cho Ray hospital, Vietnam. Methods: Case series study was conducted at Cho Ray hospital from 09/2010 to 09/2020. All patients with large sinonasal malignancies with intracranial invasion underwent combined transbasal - EEA approach. Reconstruction of large skull base defect ( > 2 cm ) was followed by using the pedicled double flap technique. Results: There were 75 patients who underwent the modified multi-layer with double flap reconstruction technique after the resection of ASB tumor from 09/2010 to 09/2020. The skull base defects were commonly seen at the horizontal plate of the ethmoid and the roof of the ethmoid ( 98.6%). The large skull base defects ( > 2cm) accounted for 81.3%. The risk of postoperative CSF leakage after double flap repair was very low. In this study, we had 1 patient with postoperative CSF leakage and 1 patient had postoperative meningitis. Conclusion: The use of two vascularize pedicled flap may decrease the incidence of postoperative cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) leakage and meningitis. This technique is an effective method for the reconstruction of the ASB with large defect.

Fully endoscopic transcranial removal of anterior fossa meningioma through the minipterional keyhole approach in case with marked frontal sinuous pneumatization: clinical case

Transcranial surgery of skull base meningiomas currently remains the main method of treatment. Transnasal removal is possible in a number of cases, but it is associated with the risk of postoperative CSF-leak as a result of insolvency of the reconstruction of the skull base defect. Minimally invasive (keyhole) accesses provide a tumor overview comparable to standard accesses in most cases. The anterior-medial part of the anterior cranial fossa and the olfactory fossa is not accessible to the direct view from the minipterional craniotomy. The use of angular endoscopic optics in combination with additional resection or thinning of the bones in the orbital roof provides an overview sufficient to remove the tumor, but manipulations in this area require the use of specific tools. Aspirators, dissectors and coagulators should have bends of different expressions. The application of the described technique is advisable only in certain specially selected cases.

Pneumocephalus with meningitis secondary to an old traumatic anterior cranial fossa defect

We report a case of a 30-year-old man who presented with altered mental status, fever, headache and vomiting for 3 days. An initial CT scan of the brain revealed the presence of pneumocephalus with a bony defect in the anterior cranial fossa. The pneumocephalus was not explained initially and the patient was re-examined for any signs of trauma to the face, and a review of the history revealed a series of three traumatic events months prior to this illness. Further laboratory studies revealed Streptococcus pneumoniae in the blood and bacterial meningitis. He was treated with antibiotics and was later taken up for endoscopic repair of the skull base defect. This case highlights the importance of recognising post-traumatic pneumocephalus with superimposed meningitis and sepsis months after a traumatic event to the skull base.