Liquorrhea - treatment of the disease. Symptoms of the disease and prevention liquorrhea

Cerebrospinal fluid is called cerebrospinal fluid outflow (cerebrospinal fluid, CSF). CSF is a clear liquid, which continuously circulates in the brain ventricles, subarachnoid space of the brain and spinal cord, likvoroprovodyaschih ways. CSF protects the brain and spinal cord from mechanical influences, It supports the exchange processes between blood and brain, supports continuous intracranial pressure.

Liquorrhea - Causes

The main reason is liquorrhea tampering dura, which may occur in the following situations::

• bone damage ethmoid sinuses (located deep in the nose) when the ENT manipulation (drenirovanie, washing);
• traumatic brain injury (especially fracture of the skull base);
• suture failure dura after neurosurgical operations;
• herniation of the brain and spinal cord.

Liquorrhea - Symptoms

Liquorrhea accompanied by the following symptoms:

• expiration of cerebrospinal fluid (outflow of cerebrospinal fluid can be observed from the nose, from the ears, as well as defects of the bones of the spine or skull);
• the occurrence of headaches (caused by the reduction of intracranial pressure due to the expiration of the CSF);

In some cases, there is outflow of cerebrospinal fluid, mixed with blood. It takes place, when liquorrhea acts consequence of traumatic brain injury.

Liquorrhea - Diagnosis

On examination, the doctor clarifies, what event preceded the appearance liquorrhea (eg, brain surgery, traumatic brain injury). Patient liquorrhea necessarily conducted neurological examination: determined by the presence of spinal defects, Skull, outflow of cerebrospinal fluid from the nose or ears, set signs skull base fracture.

To determine the presence of damage to the skull bone to the patient may be performed CT (CT). Also in modern times used KT-cisternography with radiopaque agents.

Liquorrhea - Types of diseases

To distinguish between explicit and latent liquorrhea. When explicit liquorrhea cerebrospinal fluid is released from the ears, nose out, impregnate a bandage on a patient's head. In the case of latent liquorrhea selection cerebrospinal fluid remains unnoticed. This situation can be observed, eg, if damaged skull base, when cerebrospinal fluid enters the nasal passages and is swallowed or aspirated out (inhaled) patient.

The following liquorrhea distinguished depending on where the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid:

• ear - liquor flows from the ears;
• nasal - cerebrospinal fluid flows from the nose;
• wound - cerebrospinal fluid flows from the surgical wound;
• spinal – there is a penetrating injury of the spine, after surgery on it or with birth defects.

Depending on the cause of distinction:

• primary liquorrhea - develops immediately after surgery or injury;
• secondary liquorrhea - appears after a certain period of time due to the formation of a fistula.

Liquorrhea - Patient action

In the event of liquorrhea urgently need to see a doctor.

Liquorrhea - Treatment

In the event of liquorrhea to avoid blowing the nose and straining. The patient is required to provide the raised position of the head.

Diuretics can be applied to a patient (diuretics) to reduce intracranial pressure, which will reduce the outflow of cerebrospinal fluid.

When liquorrhea to prevent patient infection accession necessarily apply antibacterial drugs.

Surgical treatments at liquorrhea include surgical treatment of skull defect and dura, tight wound closure.

Liquorrhea - Complications

Complications include liquorrhea:

• occurrence of severe headaches due to a decrease in intracranial pressure due to the expiration of the cerebrospinal fluid;
• meningitis development (inflammation of the membranes of the brain) infections due to the penetration through the skull defect and dura.

Likvoreya - Prevention

Prevention involves liquorrhea:

• a thorough examination of the patient, received a head injury, and the timely execution of the surgery if needed;
• timely treatment of congenital defects, which may give rise to liquorrhea (eg, congenital defects of the skull base);
• defect careful suturing the dura mater during neurosurgical operations;
• the correct execution of ENT manipulation.