LAUSR

Background Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak that occurred in the lateral sphenoid sinus is a rare and difficult case. This paper aims to report a case of defect closure in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus endoscopically with a transpterygoid approach. Case presentation A 38-year-old Indonesian woman reported a CSF leak, and identified a defect in the lateral recess of the left sphenoid sinus. CSF leak was repaired with endoscopic transethmoid-pterygoid or transpterygoid endoscopic surgery and no CSF leak was found. The surgical procedure was successful even though it was only performed by an otorhinolaryngologist. Discussion Endoscopic transethmoid-pterygoid or transpterygoid endoscopic surgery is effective in repairing defects in the lateral recess of the sphenoid sinus in which surgical procedure is performed by a single otorhinolaryngologist. Conclusion Endoscopic transpterygoid approach gained access to lateral site of sphenoid sinus was an effective approach in managing CSF leak of lateral sphenoid recess. Closure of the defect using a bone graft and mucosa of the middle turbinate was proven to be effective. It had been carried out successfully in Indonesia.