Risk Factors of Postoperative Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak After Craniovertebral Junction Anomalies Surgery: A Case-Control Study

OBJECTIVE: To identify potential risk factors for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage after craniovertebral junction (CVJ) anomaly surgery and to provide a reference for clinical practice. METHODS: Sixty-six patients who underwent elective CVJ anomaly surgery during a 6-year period (April 2013 to September 2019) were retrospectively included. Research data were collected from the patients’ medical records and imaging systems. Patients were divided into CSF leak and no CSF leak groups. Univariate tests were performed to identify potential risk factors. For statistically significant variables in the univariate tests, a logistic regression test was used to identify independent risk factors for CSF leakage. RESULTS: The overall prevalence of CSF leakage was 13.64%. Univariate tests showed that a basion-dental interval (BDI) > 10 mm and occipitalized atlas had significant intergroup differences (p < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that a BDI > 10 mm was an independent risk factor for CSF leakage, and patients with CVJ anomalies with a BDI > 10 mm were more likely to have postoperative CSF leaks (odds ratio, 14.67; 95% confidence interval, 1.48–30.88; p = 0.004). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to maintain vigilance during CVJ anomaly surgery in patients with a preoperative BDI > 10 mm to avoid postoperative CSF leaks.