Venous sinus stenting for management of spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is strongly associated with spontaneous skull-base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) has proven effective for the treatment of IIH. Hence, its role in spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks is being explored actively.Methods We performed a systematic literature search across EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify studies reporting the use of VSS for spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks. Studies with pediatric patients, non-English articles, and nonspontaneous leaks were excluded. Failure of treatment (persistence / recurrence of CSF leak) was regarded as the primary outcome.Results Eight studies with 62 patients undergoing VSS for spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks were included. Mean age of the patients was 51.9 years; 87.5% were females. Obesity was highly prevalent, with a mean body mass index of 33.9 kg/m2 (4 studies). IIH was noted in 74.6% patients (7 studies). Twenty-six patients (41.9%) underwent VSS alone whereas 36 patients (58.1%) underwent surgical repair + VSS. Seven patients (11.3%) had a failure of treatment. Three failures from one study could not be definitively ascribed to either of the groups. Hence, the estimated failure rate for VSS alone ranged from 18.6% (95% CI [0.02 - 0.46]) to 26.4% (95% CI [0.11 - 0.46]), whereas that for surgical repair + VSS ranged from 5.5% (95% CI [0.00 - 0.16]) to 12.2% (95% CI [0.01 - 0.32]). Furthermore, the estimated rate for resolution of concomitant IIH-related symptoms was 88.7% (95% CI [0.75 - 0.98%]). Majority of the studies did not report any serious complications or mortality related to VSS.Conclusion VSS has a potential role in the management of spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks. Its exact indications as a standalone treatment versus as an adjuvant to surgical repair, and the predictors for successful treatment remain to be defined.