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Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea after nasal packing for epistaxis: case report

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 February 2012

O Edkins ,
C T Nyamarebvu  and
D Lubbe
O Edkins*
Affiliation:
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
C T Nyamarebvu
Affiliation:
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
D Lubbe
Affiliation:
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Cape Town, Groote Schuur Hospital, South Africa
*
Address for correspondence: Dr O Edkins, Division of Otorhinolaryngology, H53 OMB, Groote Schuur Hospital, Observatory 7925, Cape Town, South Africa E-mail: o.edkins@uct.ac.za
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Abstract

Objective:

We report a case of traumatic cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea following nasal packing with a Rapid Rhino inflatable balloon pack, as treatment for epistaxis.

Method:

Case report and review of the literature regarding this complication.

Results:

A thorough literature search was performed using PubMed. To our best knowledge, there have been no previous reports of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhoea following nasal packing. In our case, cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred due to fracture of the middle turbinate at its superior skull base insertion. The cerebrospinal fluid leak resolved spontaneously without the need for surgical intervention.

Conclusion:

This case report highlights not only the need for an appreciation of sinonasal anatomy and the potential risks associated with nasal packing, but also the need for adequate training in the use of commercially available nasal packs by medical practitioners attending patients with epistaxis.

Keywords

Cerebrospinal Fluid RhinorrhoeaNasal PackEpistaxisComplication
Type
Clinical Records
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 126 , Issue 4 , April 2012 , pp. 421 - 423
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2012

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Footnotes

Presented as a poster at the Annual Congress of the South African Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, 24–27 October 2010, Drakensberg, South Africa

References

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