Journal of AdvancedMedical and Dental Sciences Research

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak occurs due to abnormal communication between the subarachnoid space and a pneumatized area. The present study was conducted to determine cases of CSF rhinorrhea among study group. Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted on 104 patients of CSF rhinorrhea of both genders. Clinical features were recorded. Site of leak, causes of leak and management was also recorded. Results: The main cause of CSF leak was spontaneous in 55, trauma in 24, iatrogenic in 16 and congenital in 9 cases. Common site of CSF leakage was cribriform plate in 42, sphenoid sinus in 30, frontal sinus in 3, ethmoid sinus in 11 and multiple sites in 18 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Clinical presentation was nasal discharge in 85 cases, meningitis in 12, headache in 20, fever in 34, altered sensorium in 5 and hemocephalus in 6 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Authors found that most common site was main cause of CSF leak was spontaneous, trauma, iatrogenic and congenital. Common site of CSF leakage was cribiform plate, sphenoid sinus, frontal sinus, ethmoid sinus and multiple sites. Key words: CSF leakage, Ethmoid sinus, Sphenoid sinus.