Cerebrospinal fluid otorhinorrhea in a child : Case Report

Abstract EN

Leakage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) through the ear is a rare but potentially life-threatening situation that requires rapid intervention.

Even though a leakage of CSF is occurring through otologic structures, actual leakage of the fluid from the ear is not always present, but the fluid flows down the Eustachian tube and manifests as a clear rhinorrhea.

The presence of an abnormal communication of the sterile subarachnoid space with the flora of the sinonasal tract places the patient at great risk for meningitis.

Indeed, an episode of meningitis may be the presenting problem for a person with an otologic CSF leak.

Diagnosis of such cases needs special attention, high index of suspicion, careful examination and relevant investigations to find the site of leakage. This report presents a thinking flow chart for management of a child presented with recurrent attacks of meningitis and clear fluid leaking from the nose on crawling in which all investigations revealed intact anterior skull base.