[Endoscopic treatment of idiopathic spontaneous although cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea: a case report]

Abstract

Although cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea is a rarely seen clinical entity, it is a condition which should be considered carefully by otolaryngologists and neurosurgeons because it has the possibility of serious complications unless it is treated. Trauma is the most common causative factor. Idiopathic spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea is a very rare entity which is difficult to manage and which has high recurrence rates. Although in the past CSF rhinorrhea used to be treated by intracranial route, nowadays endonasal endoscopic surgery is preferred because of wide usage of rigid endoscopes with much fewer complications, In this article, a case of 43-year-old female with idiopathic spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea repaired by endonasal endoscopic surgery is presented, and the diagnosis and the treatment of CSF rhinorrhea is reviewed.