Frequency of Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea & Rhinorrhea among Patients with Traumatic Skull Fracture

Abstract

Background: Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) is a global health issue. TBI is common and has significant societal impact. This type oftrauma results in overlying fracture of the skull in 85%-95% of cases.Objective: To find the frequency of cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea & rhinorrhea among patients presenting with traumatic skullfracture.Materials and Methods: This observational descriptive cross section was carried out at neurosurgery department, Lady ReadingHospital Peshawar. Time period of this study was from Jul 12, 2016 to Jan 11, 2017.All patients with age group 18 to 60 years ofboth gender who presented within 24 hours after the initial head trauma and who were diagnosed with skull bone fracture on x raywere included in the study. On the other hand, patients who developed post-operative cerebrospinal fluid leaks and presented withspontaneous cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea or otorrhea or those who developed inflammatory type of Cerebrospinal fluid dischargewere excluded from the study.Results: Total number of patients were 111 with traumatic skull fracture.Among the total patients 72% were male while 28% werefemale. The ratio of male to female was 2.5:1.The mean age was 36.13 years ±13.83SD with range of 18-60 years. 26-40 yearsgroup was common for the traumatic skull fracture in present study. The number of patients with age equal or less than 25 yearswas 34(30.6%).Thirty seven (33.3%) patients were of 26-40 years, 19 (17.9%) of 40-55 years and 21(18.9%) were more than 55years of age. The Rhinorrhea among traumatic skull fracture was observed in 22(19.8%) while 89(80.2%) patients showed noRhinorrhea. Otorrhea was found in 30(27%) patients and 1(73%) patients showed no Otorrhea.Conclusions: From this study, we concluded that Cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea & rhinorrhea was the most common complicationamong patients with traumatic skull fractures.Key words: Cerebrospinal Fluid, Rhinorrhea Skull Fracture, Otorrhea