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Review
. 2025 Sep 1;36(6):2049-2051.
doi: 10.1097/SCS.0000000000011681. Epub 2025 Jul 25.

Recurrent Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea With Meningitis due to a Clival Defect and Literature Review

Zhigang Cao  1 , Lili Liu  1 , Fengyu Yang  1 , Xiaoyu Wang  2 , Hang Sui  1 , Guoliang Li  1 , Maolei Li  1
Affiliations
Review

Recurrent Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea With Meningitis due to a Clival Defect and Literature Review

Zhigang Cao et al. J Craniofac Surg. .

Abstract

Most patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea have fistulas located at the cribriform plate or sphenoid sinus, with very few cases at the clivus. Here, we report a patient with recurrent spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea complicated by meningitis due to a clival defect. Under different body positionings, computed tomography scans were performed to localize the fistula, which was repaired successfully with the autologous fascia and adipose tissue through an endoscopic endonasal approach. The patient was followed up in the clinic for 2.5 years with no recurrence of clinical symptoms.

Keywords: CSF; clivus; rhinorrhea; spontaneous.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

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