2025 Volume 50 Issue 1 Pages 6-11
In this report, we describe a case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea following acute epidural hematoma surgery performed at the age of 13 due to a traumatic head injury (THI) from a traffic accident. During the two-year postoperative follow-up, the patient experienced persistent hearing loss and CSF leakage from the middle ear. Therefore, at age 15, open repair of the CSF otorrhea was performed on the same day as tympanoplasty by an otolaryngologist. This case involved: 1) identifying the fracture site using preoperative 3D imaging, 2) localizing the CSF leak with fluorescein, 3) covering the dural side with a nonwoven fabric composed of polyglycolic acid (PGA) and fibrin glue, and 4) covering the fracture site with a pedicled temporalis fascia flap. Postoperative follow-up showed a reduction in CSF leakage and improvement in hearing. Long-term follow-up and collaboration with otolaryngologists are crucial for improving the quality of life (QOL) in pediatric patients with head trauma and associated hearing loss. In conclusion, this report emphasizes the importance of long-term follow-up after pediatric THI and collaboration with related clinical departments, supplemented by a review of the relevant literature.
