Cerebrospinal fluid leakage during dacryocystorhinostomy in a patient with meningoencephalocele.

PURPOSE: To report a rare case of cerebrospinal fluid leakage during dacryocystorhinostomy in a patient with Mobius syndrome and meningoencephalocele and to explain our experience in the management of this complication.

METHODS

A 9-year-old girl with a history of surgically repaired fronto-ethmoidal meningoencephalocele and bilateral canthopexy was diagnosed with Mobius syndrome and underwent sequential bilateral dacryocystorhinostomy and silicone intubation because of dysgenesis of the lacrimal drainage pathway.

RESULTS

Both dacryocystorhinostomies resulted in cerebrospinal fluid leakage, which spontaneously ceased with conservative management.

CONCLUSIONS

Dacryocystorhinostomy surgery in patients with a history of trauma or surgery or congenital defects around the base of the nose or lacrimal system may rarely result in cerebrospinal fluid leakage; thus an ophthalmologist should be familiar with its management.