Classification of frontal fossa fractures associated with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, pneumocephalus or meningitis. Indications and time for surgical treatment.

Abstract

Summary The classiflcation of auterior fossa frac tures with their sequelae: ccrcbrospinal fluid (CSF) rht norrboa. pneumocephalus. 01' menlngitls is prcsented. This classification is based on live selecüon critcria which are discussed in this paper. This classiflcation re sulted in the table of Indicnticns for operative treat ment. according to which the appropriate time for oper ation in urgent cases is immediately, in cases with abso lute indication 5 to 6 days after the injurv, in lang-last ing csr rhinorrhea ur pneumoceph ulus 10 days after the onset. in intermittent or delayed rhinorrhea and /or pneumoeephalus as soon as these signs occur; und in cases of mcnlngitls soon nftcr recovery. This study is based Oll the analysis of 52 consecutive surgtcally treated cases. eolleeted frum 1984 up tu December 1989.