Intestinal activity visualized on radionuclide cisternography in patients with cerebrospinal fluid leak

Several methods are used in conjunction with radionuclide cisternography for detecting cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea or otorrhea, including positioning of the patient to induce drainage, placing cotton pledgets in the nostrils and ears for scintillation counting, and increasing the CSF pressure within the subarachnoid space. Presented here are three surgically proven cases of CSF leak where intestinal activity was detected at different intervals following the lumbar intrathecal administration of indium-111-DTPA for radionuclide cisternography. We recommend the addition of an abdominal image during radionuclide cisternography for CSF liquorrhea.