OBJECTIVE Detection of beta-2 transferrin in rhinorrhea fluid is a sensitive and specific method for the diagnosis of a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Patients may be asked to collect this fluid at home to obtain an adequate volume for detection, and thus the age and storage conditions of these specimens may be variable upon analysis. The purpose of this study is to understand how age, storage...

Introduction. Spontaneous nontraumatic pneumocephalus (PNC) and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are both very uncommon conditions. We report a rare case of spontaneous pneumocephalus associated with CSF leak secondary to right sphenoid sinus bony defect without history of trauma. Case Description. 51-year-old Hispanic female with past medical history of hypertension and idiopathic intracranial ...

Recurrent attacks of bacterial meningitis usually follow in the wake of cranial trauma(l). However, other important factors like sinusitis, mastoiditis, congenital dermal sinuses(2-5) and immunological causes related to humoral immunity and the complement system(6) are also important. Recurrent bouts of meningitis may also be seen with intracranial dermoids(7). The published reports on recurren...

OBJECTIVE To discuss the first reported case of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea caused by a massive CSF-containing porencephalic cyst. STUDY DESIGN A case report and review of the literature (MEDLINE 1962-2005). SETTING A tertiary neurotologic referral center. PATIENT A 65-year-old woman with congenital hemiplegia presented with left-sided spontaneous CSF otorrhea of 4-mont...

Association of deep white matter infarction with chronic communicating hydrocephalus: implications regarding the possible origin of normal pressure hydrocephalus. Idiopathic normal pressure hydroceph-alus may be a " two hit " disease: benign external hydrocephalus in infancy followed by deep white matter ischemia in late adulthood. T he article in this month's American Journal of Neuroradi-olog...

The Hadad-Bassagasteguy vascularized nasoseptal pedicled flap (HBF) is an effective technique for reconstruction of skull base defects with low incidence of postoperative cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Advanced planning is required as posterior septectomy during transsphenoidal surgery can preclude its use due to destruction of the vascular pedicle. We present four cases in which the HBF was s...

OBJECTIVE To examine the methods of extracranial repair of traumatic defects in the cribriform plate and ethmoid roof resulting in persistent cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea in pediatric patients. DESIGN Retrospective case series. SETTING A single-institution, tertiary care, pediatric hospital. PATIENTS Four children, ranging in age from 3 1/2 to 9 years, who sustained fractures in t...