Posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea frequently complicates anterior skull base fracture. Although skull base fracture is present in only about 7% cases of head injury, CSF rhinorrhea develops in 30% of cases with basal fracture.A total of 43 cases admitted in our Institute (SGPGI Lucknow) from January 2000 to June 2011with history of head trauma followed by CSF rhinorrhea. Forty one cases were included in this study as two patients refused surgery.Out of forty one cases, 26 cases (63%) were admitted with history of recurrent meningitis, 21 cases (51%) with loss of smell, 26 cases (63%) with delayed onset CSF rhinorrhea, 3 cases (7%) with early onset rhinorrhea which did not improve after trauma, 12 cases (30%) with early onset rhinorrhea which improved but reappeared after some time. Twenty cases (48.8%) were repaired by extradural approach, 10 cases (24.4%) were repaired by intradural approach and 11 cases (26.8%) were repaired by endoscopic approach. 12 cases (29.0%) required re-surgery for persistent or recurrence of CSF rhinorrhea.Although posttraumatic CSF rhinorrhea usually resolves with conservative management, its persistence makes an individual prone for further complications like meningitis, brain abscess and septicaemia. Timely surgical intervention usually gives promising results. Endoscopic repair was better than transcranial repair.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2025 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.