Turkish Neurosurgery
Relationship between benign intracranial tumor location and the side of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak: Insights from new cases and a systematic review
Nese Keser1, Mary Murphy2, Aysegul Esen Aydin3, Antti-Pekka Elomaa4, Maria Karampouga5, Niina Salokorpi6, Anastasia Tasiou7, Eleni Tsianaka8, Stiliana Mihaylova9, Ashviniy Thamilmaran10, Zak Hodgson11, Nurperi Gazioglu12
1University of Health Sciences, Hamidiye Faculty of Medicine, Neurosurgery, Istanbul,
2Victor Horsley, NHNN, Queen Square, Neurosurgery, London,
3University of Health Sciences, Istanbul Prof. Dr. Cemil Tascioglu City Hospital, Neurosurgery, Istanbul,
4Kuopio University Hospital, Neurosurgery, Kuopio,
5University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Neurosurgery, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
6Oulu University Hospital and University of Oulu, Neurosurgery, Oulu,
7University Hospital of Larissa, Neurosurgery, Larissa,
8Kuwait Hospital, Neurosurgery, Sabah Al Salem,
9Medical University of Sofia, St. Ivan Rilski University Hospital, Neurosurgery, Sofia,
10UCL Medical School, University College London, Faculty of Medicine, London,
11Leeds School of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Leeds,
12Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Pituitary Center, Istanbul,
DOI: 10.5137/1019-5149.JTN.49011-25.3

Aim:Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks from intracranial tumors are rare, particularly before surgical excision, usually arising tumor invasion of the dura and intervening bone. Herein, we present cases of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea and otorrhea and conduct a systematic literature review examining the relationship between benign tumor location and the leak side.Material and Methods:A PRISMA-based systematic review was conducted to evaluate studies on spontaneous CSF leaks caused by benign intracranial tumors, alongside three newly reported cases.Results:All three cases exhibited CSF leaks ipsilateral to the tumor: Case 1 involved a pituitary ACTH-secreting macroadenoma with rhinorrhea; Case 2, a pineocytoma with hydrocephalus and nasal encephalocele; and Case 3, a petromastoid meningioma with otorrhea. In the systematic literature review, 28 of 125 studies met the inclusion criteria. The median patient age was 42 years, with a male-to-female ratio of 16:12. Macroprolactinoma was the most frequent tumor (25%), primarily located in the sella (46.4%). Tumors were located at the midline (39.3%), right side (35.7%), or left side (25%). The sphenoid sinus was the most common site of CSF leak (39.3%). The leak occurred through the right nostril (39.3%), left nostril (39.3%), both nostrils (10.7%), right ear (7.1%), and both the nostril and ear (3.5%). Hydrocephalus was present in 25% of cases. Conclusion:Although our cases demonstrated ipsilateral leaks, the literature review revealed equal rates of left-sided rhinorrhea, even with midline or right-sided tumors, suggesting skull base bone destruction alone does not explain CSF leaks, particularly in benign intracranial tumors outside mastoid involvement. Careful patient history regarding the side of rhinorrhea, comprehensive preoperative imaging, and hydrocephalus evaluation are essential for identifying the leak site and preventing complications, such as recurrent meningitis.

Corresponding author : Nese Keser