Onset of uncomplicated cerebrospinal fluid fistula 27 years after head injury: case report.
BACKGROUND
Cerebrospinal fluid fistulae complicated by meningitis have been reported to appear as late as 36 years after the causal head injury.


METHODS
We present this 54-year-old woman with a recurrent cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea that started 27 years after a road accident. The surgical exploration revealed a linear fracture of the cribriform plate.


RESULTS
Once the defect was repaired, the leak ceased, with no recurrence in 2 years of follow-up.


CONCLUSIONS
A traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak may appear for the first time after 2-3 decades have elapsed. An operation is indicated in order to localize the site of leakage, when other investigations have failed or are not available, as well as to prevent a secondary infection, when still possible.
Salca
H C
HC
Neurosurgical Clinic, Prof. Gh. Marinescu Hospital, Bucharest, Romania.
Danaila
L
L
D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000209:etiology*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005004:Ethmoid Bone / Q000293:injuries*; D005260:Female; D005402:Fistula / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012887:Skull Fractures / Q000150:complications*; D013997:Time Factors