Objective: To describe a new technique for control of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea and to review alternative approaches.
Study design: Five cases and literature review.
Setting: Tertiary referral center.
Patients: Five case study patients.
Intervention: Surgical.
Main outcome measure: Control of CSF rhinorrhea.
Results: CSF rhinorrhea can be controlled through eustachian tube ligation in the nasopharynx, distal to all known pathways through which CSF leaks may occur from the temporal bone into the eustachian tube.
Conclusion: Transoral eustachian tube ligation appears to be a safe and effective alternative to other techniques for controlling CSF rhinorrhea and should be included in the otologist's repertoire.