Computed Tomography Cisternography for the Management of Cerebrospinal Fluid Fistulae

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula is an increasingly common condition these days with traumatic cause being commoner than either surgical or nonsurgical trauma. The patient usually presents either with rhinorrhea or less frequently otorrhea. Computed tomography (CT) cisternography is widely used in the diagnostic workup of such patients. It helps to localize the site of leak and to establish the underlying cause. The purpose of this article is to present an overview of CT cisternography findings in various types of CSF fistula, i.e., rhinorrhea, otorrhea, and otorhinorrhea and the management based on them. Magnetic resonance cisternography was not utilized as the CT provides bony detail much better, which is useful for the operating surgeon or endoscopist.