Liquorea

Liquorea is the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid due to communication between the subarachnoid and extracranial spaces.

It is most often caused by a traumatic mechanism.
 * In the case of a fracture in the area of the front cranial fossa, communication with the nasal cavity and leakage of liquor from the nose may occur - the so-called "rhinorrhea".
 * With fractures of the petrous bone, cerebrospinal fluid can leak from the ear - the so-called "otorrhea".
 * In case of a massive leakage of cerebrospinal fluid, ''posttraumatic cerebrospinal fluid hypotension' occurs, which clinically manifests almost the same as intracranial hypertension syndrome.
 * In the initial phase it is often covered by bleedingm from the nose or ears. Later, it has the character of a watery secretion and is often mistaken for a cold.
 * Draining is accentuated when standing and leaning forward.
 * The risk is the development of bacterial meningitis.

Diagnosis

 * Anamnesis:
 * head injury,
 * splanchnocranial surgery,
 * watery discharge that depends on the position of the head,
 * sometimes olfactory disturbances.
 * Identification of liquoru (biochemically – sugar level, ß2-transferrin,...).
 * Neuroradiological evidence of communication - isotopic cisternography or CT cisternography.

Therapy
Conservative - spontaneous healing usually occurs only with bed rest. If it persists for more than 2 weeks, surgical treatment is chosen.

Complications

 * Risk of intracranial infection.

related articles

 * Craniocerebral trauma
 * Intracranial hypertension
 * Hydrocephalus
 * Cerebrospinal fluid
 * Circulation of cerebrospinal fluid