Cerebrospinal fluid leak mimicking allergic rhinitis.
Rhinitis and rhinorrhea are common clinical complaints that may be allergic or nonallergic in etiology. Distinguishing between allergic and nonallergic etiologies can be difficult but necessary for treatment. Here, we present a case of a 50-year-old woman with > 20 years of rhinorrhea before a diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid leak and a life-threatening complication occurred. It is essential that no symptom, especially that which persists and resists treatment, is trivialized. Here, we establish how a careful history and evaluation will direct the clinician to the correct diagnosis.
Ricketti
Anthony J
AJ
Section of Allergy and Immunology, Department of Medicine, St. Francis Medical Center, 601 Hamilton Avenue, Trenton, NJ 08629-1986, USA.
Cleri
Dennis J
DJ
Porwancher
Richard B
RB
Panesar
Mandip
M
Villota
Francisco J
FJ
Seelagy
Marc M
MM
D001249:Asthma / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002559:Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000601:surgery; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003399:Craniotomy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012220:Rhinitis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology