Cerebrospinal Fluid (CSF) Rhinorrhea

Leak of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) can have a different sources - trauma, iatrogenic or spontanaeous. In the former two, the reason may be the acquired defect along base of skull (for example from fractures) or complication after sinus surgery. Basing on location, the CSF could leak through the nose (CSF rhinorrhea) or ear passage (CSF otorhea). Commonly, after recent trauma, there is a presence of blood in the fluid.Congenital defects may cause this symptom too. The patients described abnormality as a clear fluid dripping from the nostril especially upon straining or coughing. To differientiate it with running nose, the CSF is watery and clear in colours (unless it contains blood). The conformation of diagnosis is the glucose blood level test and further laboratory investigations. CT-scan and fluorescein study will be carried out in unresolved cases in preparation to surgical procedure for repair of the defect. This video presents CSF rhinorrhea which appears clear and without mucous.