Two Cases of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea by Idiopathic Bony Defects

Abstract

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea can be caused by head trauma, brain or sinus surgery or neoplastic sinonasal disease. In addition, CSF rhinorrhea may develop spontaneously in some cases. We experienced two cases of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea caused by idiopathic bony defect. The first case was a 47-year old female who complained of a persistent rhinorrhea for 2 months without surgical or traumatic history. The second case was a 40-year old female. Having no surgical or traumatic history, she also suffered from a persistent rhinorrhea for thirteen years. For diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea, we carried out endoscopic examination, glucose test of rhinorrhea, computed tomograph, magnetic resonance imaging and 99m Tc-DTPA cisternography. We found bony defect in the cribriform plate of the two cases. Patients were treated successfully with endoscopic approach. Leak sites were repaired with free graft materials. There has not been any recurrence or complications since the endoscopic closure. (Korean J Otorhinolaryngol-Head Neck Surg 2009;52:93-7)