Symptoms of a Cranial CSF Leak

The symptoms of a CSF leak will vary depending on the location of the leak. In patients with a cerebrospinal fluid leak within the head, symptoms include:

• Runny nose (clear liquid)
• Headache
• Hearing loss
• Pulsatile tinnitus
• Dizziness/vertigo
• Clear fluid discharge from ears
• Fevers, chills, sensitivity to light, and neck stiffness (symptoms of meningitis)

Since some of the symptoms of a CSF leak are non-specific and may be caused by other conditions, it’s important to seek medical care to get an accurate diagnosis.

Once the presence and location of a cranial CSF leak is identified, the patient is usually referred to a surgeon to discuss the need for surgical repair.

A cranial CSF leak into the middle ear can sometimes lead to telltale discharge from one ear when there is also a hole in the tympanic membrane.