Non-Traumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak from a Sphenoid Sinus Midline Roof Defect Previously Managed as Allergic Rhinitis

Authors

  • Jan Paul D. Formalejo Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc.
  • Jay Pee M. Amable Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head and Neck Surgery University of the East – Ramon Magsaysay Memorial Medical Center, Inc.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.32412/pjohns.v34i1.967

Keywords:

cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, cerebrospinal fluid leak, sphenoid sinus midline roof defect

Abstract

Objective: To present a case of a non-traumatic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea from a midline sphenoid sinus roof that presented as a persistent postnasal drip and was previously managed as allergic rhinitis for 43 years.

 

Methods:

            Design:           Case Report

            Setting:           Tertiary Private University Hospital

            Participants:   One

 

Results: A 58-year-old obese and hypertensive man presented with persistent post nasal drip and intermittent clear watery rhinorrhea. He had been managed as a case of allergic rhinitis for 43 years and was maintained on nasal steroid sprays without relief. Nasal endoscopy revealed pulsating clear watery discharge from the sphenoid ostium. On trans-sphenoidal surgery, a midline sphenoid sinus roof defect was sealed using a Hadad-Bassagasteguy flap.

 

Conclusion: CSF rhinorrhea is uncommon and may mimic more common diseases such as allergic rhinitis. Because misdiagnosis can then lead to life threatening complications, physicians should be vigilant when seeing patients with clear watery rhinorrhea to be able to arrive at a proper diagnosis and provide prompt treatment.

 

Keywords: cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea; cerebrospinal fluid leak; sphenoid sinus midline roof defect

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Published

2019-06-18

How to Cite

1.
Formalejo JPD, Amable JPM. Non-Traumatic Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak from a Sphenoid Sinus Midline Roof Defect Previously Managed as Allergic Rhinitis. Philipp J Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg [Internet]. 2019 Jun. 18 [cited 2024 Oct. 14];34(1):48-51. Available from: https://pjohns.pso-hns.org/index.php/pjohns/article/view/967