

Length of stay in the hospital depends on the size of the leak - most patients are in the hospital for a few days after surgery. The CSF leak is repaired using your own tissue from the nose or with a biomaterial graft. Surgery for endoscopic nasal CSF leak closure, which is performed entirely through the nostrils, does not require cutting through the skin.

During this test, a radioactive tracer is injected into the spinal fluid through a spinal tap. A pledget study can confirm whether CSF is leaking into the nose or mastoid from a break in the bone at the base of the skull.During this test, a contrast medium is injected into the spinal fluid through a spinal tap, and then a CT scan is performed. A CT cisternogram may help identify the site of a CSF leak into the nasal cavities or mastoid bone.Cisternogram - CT or nuclear medicine : These two tests, each performed in a similar way, require a spinal tap (also known as a lumbar puncture) to administer a fluid to the CSF that allows your doctor to identify if a CSF leak is present and the source of the leak.MRI scans can help determine the location and severity of a CSF leak. scan: This uses a large magnet, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures in the body. MRI scan: This uses a large magnet, radiofrequencies and a computer to produce detailed images of organs and structures in the body.CT scan: This noninvasive diagnostic imaging procedure uses X-rays and computer technology to produce detailed imaging of bones and planes of the brain.Analysis of the nasal fluid: This test is used to detect beta-2 transferrin, a protein found almost exclusively in CSF.If your doctor suspects a CSF leak, he or she may recommend the following tests. Nasal drainage of CSF (this may be difficult to distinguish from normal nasal discharge without testing).Spontaneous leaks may also occur without an identifiable cause. This can happen to patients with hydrocephalus, a buildup of CSF in the skull. Spontaneous CSF leaks can occur due to increased intracranial pressure (pressure in the head). It may also be damaged by a lumbar puncture, including a spinal tap, spinal anesthesia or myelogram. The dura can be injured or punctured during a head injury or a surgical procedure involving the sinuses, brain or spine.

What is a CSF leak?Ī CSF leak is when the CSF escapes through a tear or hole in the dura, the outermost layer of the meninges, which surround the brain. Reduced cerebrospinal fluid, as in the case of a leak, requires immediate care by a trained expert. It provides a cushion for delicate brain and spinal tissue. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord.
