
In this procedure, a tube connected to a drainage bag is inserted in the CSF compartment at the base of the person’s back.

Any sample of discharge that contains CSF can indicate a leak. Checking the glucose levels in nasal discharge can help determine whether it contains CSF. Unlike mucus, which is thick and sticky, CSF is clear and watery.Ĭompared with mucus, CSF also has a high concentration of glucose.
#CEREBROSPINAL FLUID LEAK TEXAS ALLERGY PROFESSIONAL#
The result will form two distinct rings, called a “target” or “double ring” sign.Ī healthcare professional can often identify CSF just by looking at a sample on a handkerchief or piece of gauze. Once in contact with the paper, any CSF will separate from any blood or mucus. The test for CSF fluid involves placing a sample of what the doctor suspects to be CSF discharge on a piece of filter paper. Its presence in the blood can confirm a CSF leak.īeta transferrin test is often performed along with a test of CSF discharge fluid to rule out the chance that beta transferrin is in the blood because of genetic or other factors. Beta transferrin is a protein normally only found in CSF fluid. The beta transferrin test looks for this substance in the blood. The most common and important of these is the beta transferrin test. Higher-level studies are needed to better determine optimal diagnostic and clinical management approaches.ĬSF leak CSF rhinorrhea cerebrospinal fluid diagnosis diagnostic algorithm localization.A doctor can use a number of tests to diagnose a CSF leak. Intrathecal fluorescein (IF) may also be of benefit in certain clinical scenarios.ĭespite relatively low levels of evidence, recommendations for the diagnosis and management of CSF rhinorrhea can be made based on the current literature.

Magnetic resonance cisternography (MRC) should be used for CSF leak identification as a second line for each of these if beta-2 transferrin is not available or if HRCT is ambiguous. High-resolution CT (HRCT) is then recommended as the first-line study for localization. Beta-2 transferrin is the most reliable confirmatory test for CSF leak. The literature does not support the use of the ring sign, glucose testing, radionuclide cisternography (RNC), or computed tomography cisternography (CTC) for identification of CSF leak. We reviewed 68 studies examining 9 practices pertinent to the diagnosis of CSF rhinorrhea, with a highest aggregate grade of evidence of C. All authors agreed on recommendations through an iterative process. Study exclusion criteria were language other than English, pre-1990 studies, case reports, and nonrhinologic leak. Benefit-harm assessments, value judgments and recommendations were made based on the available evidence. Diagnostic strategies employed for cases of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea vary widely due to limited evidence-based guidance.Ī systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from January 1990 through September 2014, to examine 9 diagnostic and localization modalities for CSF rhinorrhea.
