Results of Conservative Management of CSF Rhinorrhea in Post Traumatic Patients

Abstract

Objectives:  We aimed to see the results of conservative management of CSF rhinorrhea in post-traumatic patients. Material and Methods:  An observational study was conducted on 50 patients for 3 months from 1st November 2021 to 31th Jan 2022. Patients presented to neurosurgery unit II, PINS. All patients had a history of road traffic accidents (RTA). Results:  The age range was 10 – 50 years. The mean age was 25 years. All patients were managed conservatively for one week. We advised complete bed rest to all patients for 2 weeks. Head ends of all patients were slightly inclined from 15 – 30 degrees to reduce pressure in basal cisterns. We gave acetazolamide, mannitol, antibiotics, and anti-epileptic medication to all patients. CSF rhinorrhea in our 43 (86%) patients was stopped completely. In our 5 (10%) patients, CSF rhinorrhea was cured completely after doing a lumbar puncture with drainage of CSF and with the placement of a lumbar drain at a rate of 10 ml per hour. In our 2 (4%) patients, CSF rhinorrhea was not cured. We have to do surgery either by trans cranial or endoscopic repair of CSF rhinorrhea. Conclusion:  CSF rhinorrhea is best cured by conservative management except in 4% of cases.