Use of the translabyrinthine approach to repair congenital spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leakage in five Chinese patients with Mondini dysplasia.

Objective: To introduce a more effective surgical technique for the repair of spontaneous incurable cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage (CSF otorrhea).

Methods: The cases of five Chinese patients with Mondini dysplasia and CSF leakage were reviewed. All patients presented with rhinorrhea or otorrhea from childhood and recurrent meningitis attacks. CSF leakage was repaired surgically using the translabyrinthine approach.

Results: Facial paralysis occurred in the first two patients, but was cured 2 months later. The other three patients recovered well and had no facial paralysis or complication. CSF leakage did not recur in any patient after follow-up periods of 0.5-3 years.

Conclusions: Mondini dysplasia with CSF leakage is rare. Adequate diagnosis and treatment are required to avoid life-threatening complications, such as meningitis. We recommend the translabyrinthine approach as an alternative surgical technique that reduces recurrence.