Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea and Recurrent Meningitis

Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea is the result of transdural communication between the subarachnoid space and the skull base. A transdural fistula may originate from the anterior, middle, or posterior cranial compartments. All skull-base sites of leakage potentially lead to the nasal cavity. Recurrent meningitis is commonly associated with such a direct source of bacterial contamination. Organisms associated with recurrent meningitis secondary to cerebrospinal fluid leaks are commonly found in the upper respiratory tract. We report a case of recurrent meningitis in a 5-year-old girl that highlights the problem of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, and we discuss etiology, current diagnostic techniques, and surgical management.