CSF Leak Post COVID-19 Swab in a Patient with Preexisting Meningiocele

Abstract

A 45-year-old female with medical background significant for bronchial asthma, hypothyroidism, polycystic kidney disease and obesity presented to the emergency department in December 2020 with one week history of severe headache, unilateral rhinorrhea and metallic taste. Her symptoms started two days after she had nasopharyngeal swab as post travel screening routine. Radiological investigations revealed features of increased intracranial pressure and a suspicious skull base defect for which patient undergone endoscopic transnasal skull base repair. Intraoperative findings were positive for CSF leak from a skull base defect and an incidental finding of Meningiocle. Patient was seen after three weeks with no more CSF rhinorrhea, but was complaining of persistent mild headache, for which she was referred to neurology for further management. Conclusion: CSF leak is one of the rare, yet serious complications of nasopharyngeal swab especially in patients with previous skull base surgery, trauma, patients with pre-existing skull base defects or with elevated intracranial pressure. Meningocele found in this case report was presumed to be a predisposing factor for CSF leak post nasopharyngeal swab. Education about safe administration of nasopharyngeal swabs as well as understanding the nose anatomy is important to reduce the overall risk profile of nasopharyngeal sampling. Moreover, an alternative method of testing such as oropharyngeal specimen should be considered in populations with increased risk of CSF leak.