Cerebrospinal fluid leak from nontumor ear after acoustic neuroma surgery: diagnostic and therapeutic problems

An unusual case of CSF leak from the nontumor ear after removal of a 3-cm acoustic neuroma is presented. Prior to tumor removal a ventricular-peritoneal shunt was established because of increased intracranial pressure. After the shunt was clamped the patient twice developed rhinoliquorrhea and underwent in both instances unsuccessful closure of the leak on the tumor side. Finally the leak was established in the nontumor ear, most likely due to sequelae after a hunting accident 20 years before, where a projectile created a defect in the tegmen tympani. The CSF leak was probably provoked by the pressure changes following tumor removal and shunt treatment.