Middle fossa approach for spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid fistula and encephaloceles.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: The aim of this article is to describe the middle fossa craniotomy (MFC) approach for the repair of cerebrospinal (CSF) fistula and encephaloceles.

RECENT FINDINGS: The MFC approach has a greater than 93% success rate for managing CSF fistula and encephaloceles located along the tegmen tympani and tegmen mastoideum. Posterior fossa defects cannot be managed by an MFC approach. Multilayer repair with the combination of soft tissue and durable substances is preferred. Hydroxyapatite bone cement provides a durable repair of thinned or absent areas of bone with a low risk of infection. Concurrent management of symptomatic superior semicircular canal dehiscence may be readily performed. Small keyhole craniotomies with the utilization of the endoscope are possible as a means to minimize temporal lobe retraction.

SUMMARY: MFC repair of CSF fistula and encephaloceles is a highly effective approach for the repair of tegmen mastoideum and tegmen tympani defects.