Elevated intracranial pressure in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea

Abstract

To determine the prevalence of elevated intracranial hypertension in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea (SCSFO). Case series with chart review at a tertiary care academic medical center following institutional review board approval. A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing operative repair of SCSFO between January 2007 and May 2012. Thirty-eight patients underwent operative repair of SCSFO. Of these, 22 underwent postoperative lumbar puncture with measurement of opening pressure. The opening pressure was elevated (> 20 cm/H2 0) in eight patients (36.4%). Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was available for review by a neuroradiologist in 27 patients. Radiographic evidence of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) was present in 48.1% of patients. Elevated ICP is common in patients with SCSFO. However, as only a minority of patients have elevated ICP, it is not the sole factor in the development of SCSFO.