What's the Diagnosis? Critical Care Edition By Dr. Kim Chavez

A young female comes in with persistent unilateral clear nasal discharge 1 month after a fall. What’s the diagnosis? (scroll down for answer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Answer: CSF leak via defect in the cribriform plate

  • Maintain a high suspicion for occult CSF leaks with any recent traumatic history and persistent rhinorrhea or otorrhea
  • Send a beta-2-transferrin of the fluid sample (only present found in CSF fluid, perilymph, and aqueous humor)
  • Another less commonly used method to test fluid include the “double ring” sign on coffee filter paper (expanding outer CSF ring around a central blood ring) but can generate false positives
  • Obtain CT scans with thin cuts through sinuses to detect small cribriform plate defects but may need advanced techniques such as CT cisternography for localization
  • High risk for meningitis especially for leaks greater than 7 days and may require neurosurgical intervention (possibly a lumbar drain for CSF diversion to reduce volume and pressure)

 

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