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J Neurol Surg Rep 2015; 76(01): e117-e119
DOI: 10.1055/s-0035-1549220
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Otorrhea from a Persistent Tympanomeningeal Fissure Presenting as Recurrent Serous Otitis Media

Arman Zakaryan
1   Department of Neurosurgery, Yerevan State Medical University, Armenia
,
Lars Poulsgaard
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Camilla Hollander
3   Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
,
Kåre Fugleholm
2   Department of Neurosurgery, Copenhagen University Hospital, Rigshospital, Copenhagen, Denmark
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

17 June 2014

22 January 2015

Publication Date:
15 May 2015 (online)

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Abstract

We describe spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) otorrhea through a patent tympanomeningeal (Hyrtl) fissure presenting as recurrent serous otitis media. The CSF leak was observed when a drain was placed through the tympanic membrane by an otologist. The diagnosis was then confirmed by computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, and the patient underwent a successful surgical treatment via a retrosigmoid approach. We describe the case and review causes of spontaneous CSF rhinorrhea/otorrhea.

Keywords

cerebrospinal fluid leak - spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea - patent tympanomeningeal (Hyrtl) fissure - recurrent serous otitis media - retrosigmoid approach