Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: diagnosis and treatment

Abstract

The diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is usually straightforward. It need not be. The location of the leak is usually clear. It need not be. With modern rigid endoscopes, the repair is usually technically straightforward. It need not be. When a cerebrospinal fluid leak is suggested and the fluid is collectable, testing for beta 2 transferrin will usually settle the issue. The site of the leak is usually obvious. If it is not, but the leak is active, an isoview computed tomography scan will reveal it. Once the leak is established and located, the experienced endoscopic sinus surgeon can generally repair it using the instruments and materials currently available.