Use of hydroxyapatite bone cement to prevent cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the frontal sinus: Technical report

OBJECTIVE: To test the efficacy of a simple technique of frontal sinus obli teration during low frontal craniotomy using hydroxyapatite cement instead of more traditional methods, such as pericranial flaps, free muscle or adip ose grafts, lumbar drainage, or fibrin glue. METHODS: Eight patients undergoing low frontal craniotomy for intradural su rgery had the frontal sinus obliterated by careful removal of mucosa follow ed by filling of the sinus with hydroxyapatite bone cement. No other adjunc ts for preventing cerebrospinal fluid leakage through the sinus were used. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 9 months, there were no cerebrospinal f luid leaks, infections, instances of resorption, or cosmetic deformities. CONCLUSION: Hydroxyapatite bone cement seems to be a simple and effective m ethod for frontal sinus obliteration and prevention of cerebrospinal fluid leakage.