[Pediatric intranasal and skull base needle endoscopic surgery and examination].

OBJECTIVE

To explore the values of the application of needle endoscope in pediatric nasal cavity and skull base surgery.

METHOD: Using a kind of needle endoscope with the diameter of 1.9 mm and digital video image system, 8 cases of pediatric nasal cavity and skull base examination and surgery were performed.

RESULT: Of 3 cases of congenital choanal atresia, one improved, the others recovered. One case (2.5 years old) of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae was successfuly repaired under the 1.9 mm needle endoscope. There were 2 cases of congenital meningoencephalocele. One was 1 month newborn. When the diagnosis was confirmed by needle endoscopy and CT scan, the operation was postponed. The other got endoscopic operation and had recovered. Of 2 cases of skull base malignant tumour, the diagnosis was confirmed by intranasal biopsy under needle endoscope.

CONCLUSION

With the application of needle endoscope, the pediatric skull base surgery and examination can be performed in the narrow nasal cavities and sinuses with less invasion and good result.