Comparative Evaluation of Enhancement Patterns of Nasoseptal Flaps and Free Mucosal Grafts in Primary Endoscopic Pituitary Surgery and Association with CSF Leak.

This article discusses the use of different techniques for skull base reconstruction in endoscopic pituitary surgery and their association with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. The Hadad-Bassagasteguy nasoseptal flap (NSF) has been effective in reducing CSF leaks, but there is limited data on the appearance of different reconstruction techniques on MRI and their relationship to CSF leak rates. The study reviewed patient data and imaging to compare the vascularization patterns of free mucosal grafts (FMG) and NSF, and found that patients with NSF reconstruction had higher rates of intraoperative CSF leaks. However, there was no association between patterns of flap enhancement on MRI and CSF leaks. FMGs showed a predictable change in enhancement pattern over 3 months, while NSFs without flap enhancement at 1 week still demonstrated neovascularization without increased risk of complications. [Extracted from the article]