Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea as the First Symptom of Metastatic Prostate Adenocarcinoma

Ear Nose Throat J. 2023 Sep;102(9):NP466-NP469. doi: 10.1177/01455613211016710. Epub 2021 May 26.

Abstract

The most common cause of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhoea is damage to the skull base with a dura mater's rupture due to an accident or an iatrogenic injury. This applies to over 96% of cases. Other possibilities that can lead to CSF leakage are neoplasms of the nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and nasopharynx. Although prostate cancer spreads to bones, cranial metastases to paranasal sinuses are extremely rare. We present a case of an 83-year-old patient with CSF leakage due to infiltrating metastatic prostate cancer. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea turned out to be the first symptom of prostate cancer metastasis. Diagnostic and treatment strategies are presented in the discussion.

Keywords: CSF leaks; metastases; prostate neoplasm; rhinorrhea; sphenoid sinus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma* / complications
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea* / diagnosis
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea* / etiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prostate
  • Prostatic Neoplasms* / complications
  • Skull Base