Cerebrospinal rhinorrhea: diagnosis and management

The role of the otolaryngologist in the diagnosis and management of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is discussed. One hundred eight cases of cerebrospinal rhinorrhea were studied with emphasis on cause, localization, and treatment. Extracranial approaches produce minimal morbidity and should be considered as possible treatment for every patient with cerebrospinal rhinorrhea with leaks located in the frontoethmoid complex, cribriform plate, or sphenoid sinus region.