Neurosurgery and otolaryngology teams in Zhukovsky carried out a reconstructive procedure to seal a skull base defect in a man who was suffering a cerebrospinal fluid leak through the nose. The operation was reported by the Ministry of Health of the Moscow Region as part of routine updates on regional surgical care.
The patient, a 35-year-old man, initially sought help after experiencing a clear nasal discharge. Medical assessment confirmed that the discharge was cerebrospinal fluid, the clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. This situation is serious because a CSF leak can create a direct pathway for infection, raising the risk of meningitis and other complications if not addressed promptly.
Several months before his presentation to the Zhukovsky hospital, the individual had sustained a traumatic brain injury following a fall from a height of about 20 feet. The resulting skull base defect and dural tear posed a threat of infection and further neurological damage. Early recognition and timely surgical management were essential to prevent potentially life-threatening infections of the brain and spinal cord.
During the evaluation, surgeons identified a defect at the base of the skull and in the dura mater, the tough membrane that encases the brain. The team performed an endoscopic endonasal repair, a minimally invasive approach that allows access to the skull base through the nasal passages. This technique enables precise reconstruction while minimizing disruption to surrounding tissues.
To seal the defect, the surgical team used autologous tissue, including fatty tissue and fascia harvested from the patient, along with the connective tissue membrane of the femur muscle. This layered reconstruction helps reestablish the barrier between the skull base and the nasal cavity, reducing the risk of recurrent leaks and infection. The use of the patient’s own tissue is a common strategy that supports robust healing and reduces the likelihood of rejection.
Postoperatively, the patient recovered well, regained stability, and was discharged for outpatient follow-up. The medical team emphasized careful monitoring for signs of recurrence, infection, or complications, along with instructions for gradual activity resumption and routine nasal care during the recovery period.
In a separate regional update, authorities noted that earlier cases in the Moscow region involved significantly different conditions. One such case described a tumor associated with the prostate that required substantial medical management. While unrelated to the skull base repair, these notes illustrate the scope of diverse urological and neurological health concerns addressed by regional specialists. The overarching message remains that timely diagnosis and appropriate surgical or medical interventions can dramatically improve outcomes for patients facing complex conditions.
Overall, the Zhukovsky team’s experience underscores the value of a multidisciplinary approach in managing skull base defects causing cerebrospinal fluid leakage. The collaboration between otolaryngology and neurosurgery offers a path to effective reconstruction, minimizing the patient’s exposure to infection and supporting a smoother recovery. Regional health authorities continue to monitor such cases to ensure access to high-quality care and to share best practices across hospitals and clinics in the Moscow Region and beyond.