Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea through the lamina cribrosa associated with primary empty sella.

Spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea associated with primary empty sella is a recently recognized condition. Because of its surgical indication, the preoperative evaluation of the possible site of the fistulous tract could be of fundamental importance. Most cases of primary empty sella reported in the literature have shown evidence of leakage through the sellar floor into the sphenoid sinus, thus requiring a transphenoidal approach. Non-traumatic defects in the anterior fossa are rarely reported in the literature. We have collected three new cases in which CT cisternography with non-ionic water-soluble contrast medium ruled out the possibility of a transellar fistula, thus suggesting a possible leak in the area of the lamina cribrosa. This was confirmed by the surgical outcome and by the follow-up of each patient.