Current imaging of cerebrospinal fluid leaks

A CSF leak results from a defect in the dura and skull base. Due to the risk of potentially devastating central nervous system infection, it is an important entity. Timely diagnosis of CSF leaks is crucial. Laboratory testing of nasal or aural fluid drainage for the presence of the protein Beta (bet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inWest Indian medical journal Vol. 58; no. 4; p. 362
Main Authors Bullock, R, Soares, D
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Jamaica 01.09.2009
Subjects
Algorithms
Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea - diagnosis
Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea - diagnostic imaging
Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea - physiopathology
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea - diagnosis
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea - diagnostic imaging
Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea - physiopathology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
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ISSN0043-3144

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Summary:A CSF leak results from a defect in the dura and skull base. Due to the risk of potentially devastating central nervous system infection, it is an important entity. Timely diagnosis of CSF leaks is crucial. Laboratory testing of nasal or aural fluid drainage for the presence of the protein Beta (beta)-2 transferrin plays a key role in establishing the presence of a CSF leak. Such assays are not always available, making imaging pivotal in the diagnosis of this entity. The development of minimally invasive endoscopic repair further underscores the importance of imaging as precise anatomic localization is important for repair In this article, we review the literature and make suggestions for the appropriate radiological investigation of patients with suspected CSF leaks.
ISSN:0043-3144