Cerebrospinal fluid external leak after penetrating trauma in a neurologic intact infant patient: a case report

Childs Nerv Syst. 2022 Aug;38(8):1647-1649. doi: 10.1007/s00381-021-05440-0. Epub 2022 Jan 12.

Abstract

Cranial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak is an extremely rare complication of blunt head trauma causing skull fractures, especially fractures involving the skull base. We present the case of a 10-month-old male who received glass fragments on the midline and posterior tier of his anterior fontanelle producing a cranial cerebrospinal fluid leak without any skull fracture or symptoms. Neurologic exam was completely normal and a superficial stitch wound repair was performed. He was observed for 24 h, had no antibiotic, and left with a 1-week outpatient neurosurgical follow-up. The patient had no negative outcome. Cerebrospinal fluid leak should be included in the differential diagnosis of a head trauma in a patient with open fontanelles. No similar case was found in literature.

Keywords: Cerebrospinal fluid; Leak; Skull fracture; Trauma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / diagnostic imaging
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / etiology
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak / surgery
  • Craniocerebral Trauma* / complications
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Skull Base / surgery
  • Skull Fractures* / surgery