Learn which tests confirm a csf leak. A csf leak can cause symptoms like a headache and a runny nose if it’s near your brain, or neck stiffness and radiating pain if it’s in your spine A headache can be a sign of a cerebrospinal fluid (csf) leak if you have had a recent head injury You may also have a runny nose, neck pain, and nausea. A spinal csf leak occurs anywhere in the spinal column The most common symptom of a spinal csf leak is a headache
A cranial csf leak occurs in the skull, and often causes symptoms such as clear fluid leaking from the nose or ear Some csf leaks may heal with bed rest and other conservative treatment. A csf leak from your nose can look and feel very similar to a runny nose from a cold or allergies See if this discharge gets worse when you bend over, tilt your head forward, strain your muscles, or get physically active. A cranial csf leak results in a runny nose and carries a high risk of meningitis, an inflammation of the membrane around the brain and spinal cord, which can be fatal and requires emergency attention. Learn about csf leak nose symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment options
