Endoscopic endonasal repair of cerebrospinal fluid leakage caused by a rare traumatic clival fracture

An 89-year-old male presented with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea associated with head trauma sustained as a pedestrian in a traffic accident. Computed tomography (CT) showed pneumocephalus and multiple cranial bone fractures, including the clivus. Although the CSF rhinorrhea was treated conservatively for a week, clinical symptoms did not improve and surgical repair was performed. Preoperative thin-sliced bone CT and steady-state magnetic resonance images revealed a bone defect at the middle clivus and a collection of CSF fluid from the clival fistula in the sphenoid sinus. Endoscopic endonasal reconstruction was performed, and the 3-mm diameter dural tear and bone defect at the middle clivus were well visualized. The fistula was repaired using a pedicled nasoseptal mucosal flap. The CSF rhi- norrhea completely disappeared as a result of the endoscopic endonasal surgery. The present report describes a rare case of CSF rhinorrhea caused by a traumatic clival fracture and surgical management by endoscopic endonasal surgery.