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% Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak: Symptoms, treatment, and more Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe
What to know about a CSF leakMedically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — By Jamie Eske and Cathy Lovering — Updated on July 20, 2022Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is a clear liquid that surrounds the brain and spinal cord. Its role is to supply nutrients to these areas and to cushion the brain inside the skull.
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The brain is covered in thin layers of tissue collectively called the dura mater, and CSF can escape through a tear in this tissue. The fluid may then leak from the nose or ears or into other parts of the body. Also, CSF in the spine can leak into muscles and connective tissue surrounding the spinal column.
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A CSF leak is a serious issue that can cause complications such as headaches, meningitis, and seizures. This article describes the causes and symptoms of a CSF leak.
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It also looks into how doctors diagnose and treat the issue and what to expect during recovery. Symptoms
Share on PinterestBSIP/Universal Images Group via Getty ImagesAccording to the Spinal CSF Leak Foundation, the most common symptom of a CSF leak is an upright headache — a headache that worsens when the head is in an upright position, as when a person is sitting or standing.
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These headaches usually improve when the person lies down. Sometimes, the position of the head does not directly affect the severity of the headache. Instead, a person may experience a headache that worsens throughout the day.
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An individual with a CSF leak may also notice clear, watery fluid draining from their nose or ears when they move their head, especially when bending forward. CSF may also drain down the back of the throat. People describe the taste as salty and metallic.
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Other symptoms of a CSF leak include:tinnitus, or ringing in the earshearing losschanges in vision
Causes
In adults, up to 90% of all CSF leaks result from head injuries. Blunt force head injuries can fracture bones in the face or the temporal bones on either side of the skull. These fractures can also tear the dura mater, causing a CSF leak.
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A bone spur on the vertebral body or disc can also tear the dura and cause a leak. Other causes of a CSF leak — in the skull or spine — include:infectionan epidural injectionan anesthetic injectionintracranial hypertensionvenous fistulaa lumbar puncturebrain tumorssurgery on or around the base of the skull or spinestructural abnormalities of the skull that have been present from birth
Diagnosis
A doctor can use a number of tests to diagnose a CSF leak. The most common and important of these is the beta transferrin test.
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The beta transferrin test looks for this substance in the blood. Beta transferrin is a protein normally only found in CSF fluid.
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Its presence in the blood can confirm a CSF leak. Beta transferrin test is often performed along with a test of CSF discharge fluid to rule out the chance that beta transferrin is in the blood because of genetic or other factors. The test for CSF fluid involves placing a sample of what the doctor suspects to be CSF discharge on a piece of filter paper.
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Once in contact with the paper, any CSF will separate from any blood or mucus. The result will form two distinct rings, called a “target” or “double ring” sign.
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A healthcare professional can often identify CSF just by looking at a sample on a handkerchief or piece of gauze. Unlike mucus, which is thick and sticky, CSF is clear and watery. Compared with mucus, CSF also has a high concentration of glucose.
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Checking the glucose levels in nasal discharge can help determine whether it contains CSF. Any sample of discharge that contains CSF can indicate a leak. If a doctor suspects a CSF leak, they may order a CT or MRI scan to help confirm the diagnosis and locate the leak.
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Treatment options
Treatment for a CSF leak depends on its severity and the cause. Some leaks respond to conservative treatment, while others require more invasive approaches. Conservative treatments
Conservative treatments mainly focus on managing symptoms.
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These treatments may include:bed rest with head elevated around 30 degreesavoiding nose-blowing or sneezingusing stool softeners to avoid strainingstaying hydratedtaking over-the-counter or prescription pain relief medicationtaking acetozolamide in cases of intracranial pressure
Invasive treatments
A CSF leak that does not respond to conservative treatment may require more invasive approaches, such as those below. Lumbar drain
A lumbar drain slowly removes some CSF fluid, reducing pressure at the site of the leak. This gives the dura time to heal.
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In this procedure, a tube connected to a drainage bag is inserted in the CSF compartment at the base of the person’s back. A needle is inserted into the back, then the lumbar drain catheter is placed through the needle.
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When the catheter is in place, the needle is removed. The drain typically stays in for 5 to 10 days.
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During that time, the person stays in hospital so medical staff can monitor the drain. Lumbar drain is sometimes used during surgery to prevent CSF leakage. An epidural blood patch
An epidural blood patch is a surgical procedure that involves using a person’s own blood to patch tears in the dura mater.
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These blood patches are only used for spinal CSF leaks, not cranial ones. During the procedure, the surgeon draws 5–25 milliliters of the person’s blood, then injects it into a space just outside of the tear in the dura mater.
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Epidural blood patches have high success rates but may not cure all types of CSF leaks. In one 2016 study, researchers compared the success rates of epidural blood patches in 133 people with CSF leaks.
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The researchers divided the participants into two groups based on the type of CSF leak. In one group, medical procedures had been responsible for the leaks. In the other group, there was no identified cause.
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In 90.9% of the CSF leaks resulting from medical procedures, a single blood patch successfully treated each leak. In the other group, however, only 44.1% of the participants experienced full recovery after each having received a single patch. The rest of the group required additional treatment.
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Surgery
A doctor may recommend surgery if a person has:a CSF leak that does not improve with conservative treatmenta severe CSF leak that is unlikely to heal on its ownblood clotting in the brain or spinal cordherniated brain tissue that pushes into the ears or nosemeningitis
Surgery involves using grafts, and adhesives if necessary, to prevent further CSF leakage. The specific approach depends on the location of the tear.
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For example, if a tear is in dura mater at the front of the head and causes the fluid to leak through the nose, an otolaryngologist may perform an endoscopic repair. This is minimally invasive and involves inserting a tube called an endoscope through the nose, then passing tiny surgical tools through the tube to repair the tear.
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If a tear causes CSF to drain from the ears, a neurosurgeon will need to perform open surgery. This involves making an incision in the scalp.
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While an endoscopic approach presents less risk than traditional open surgery, the two methods have similar success rates. When to see a doctor
A person should consider seeing a doctor if they experience any of the following symptoms of a CSF leak:a persistent runny nosedrainage from the earsa headache that worsens when the head is upright
Also, anyone who experiences symptoms of a CSF leak following any of the following should seek medical attention:a head injurya recent epiduralbrain surgeryspinal cord surgery
Recovery
Recovery depends largely on the severity of the leak and the type of treatment.
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People who receive conservative treatment can expect to stay in bed for at least 3 days. The doctor may recommend keeping the head elevated to encourage CSF drainage, as well as precautions against nose-blowing or straining on the toilet.
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However, if the fluid drains too quickly, it can cause pockets of gas — called cranial aeroceles — to form inside the skull. Other potential complications of a CSF leak include:brain herniation, which involves the dislocation of brain tissue within the skulla strokea coma
When a person has undergone surgical repair, they can expect to stay in the hospital for a few days or weeks.
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During this time, healthcare professionals will closely monitor their recovery and check for signs of complications, such as:abscessesinfectionsmeningitis
Outlook
Early and accurate diagnosis of a CSF leak can lead to better treatment outcomes. It can also help prevent complications. If symptoms do not improve within 10 days of conservative treatment, or if they return, a more invasive intervention may be necessary.
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Both epidural blood patch and surgical procedures have relatively high success rates. However, they may not work. Even after surgery, some people continue to experience symptoms or disability resulting from CSF leakage.
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A doctor or another healthcare professional who specializes in neurological conditions can discuss the options and recommend a course of treatment. Summary
A CSF leak is a serious health issue. It involves this type of fluid escaping through a tear in the dura mater.
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The symptoms of a CSF leak include fluid drainage from the ears or nose and a headache that worsens when the head is upright. These leaks can result from head injuries, infections, and certain medical procedures. Although this issue may not cause alarming symptoms, it can lead to complications if the person does not receive appropriate treatment.
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The right treatment varies, depending on factors specific to each person. Early conservative treatment usually involves bed rest and hydration. If symptoms do not improve within 10 days, the person may require a more invasive procedure, such as an epidural blood patch or surgery.
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Last medically reviewed on July 20, 2022Back PainHeadache / MigraineHearing / DeafnessNeurology / Neuroscience 10 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references.
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We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.About spinal CSF leak. (n.d.).https://spinalcsfleak.org/Beta-2-transferrin (TAU protein).
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(2015). https://www.gloshospitals.nhs.uk/our-services/services-we-offer/pathology/tests-and-investigations/beta-2-transferrin-tau-protein/Hussein, M., et al. (2019).
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Continuous lumbar drainage for the prevention and management of perioperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6516026/Le, C., et al.
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(2016). Management of anterior skull base cerebrospinal fluid leaks.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5023433/Lumbar drains. (2021).
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https://publicdocuments.sth.nhs.uk/pil4116.pdfOh, J.-W., et al. (2017).
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Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak: Diagnosis and management.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5702760/Prognosis. (n.d.).https://spinalcsfleak.org/about-spinal-csf-leaks/prognosis/So, Y., et al.
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(2016). Epidural blood patch for the treatment of spontaneous and iatrogenic orthostatic headache [Abstract].https://www.painphysicianjournal.com/linkout?issn=1533-3159&vol=19&page=E1115Tubben, R. E., et al.
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(2019). Epidural blood patch.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482336/Vemuri, N. V., et al.
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(2017). Imaging review of cerebrospinal fluid leaks.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5761172/FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Nicole Leigh Aaronson, MD, MBA, CPE, FACS, FAAP — By Jamie Eske and Cathy Lovering — Updated on July 20, 2022
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