Watery tap like continuous nasal discharge

Watery tap like continuous nasal discharge

Watery tap like continuous nasal discharge can be caused by anything that irritates or inflames the nasal tissues. Infections — such as the common cold and influenza — allergies and various irritants may all cause a runny nose. Some people have a chronically runny nose for no apparent reason — a condition called nonallergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinitis (VMR).

Less commonly, runny nose can be caused by polyps, a foreign body, a tumor or migraine-like headaches.

Causes:

  • After head trauma
  • But most are spontaneous with out any history of trauma

 Diagnosis:

  • After nasal allergy is excluded, a CSF ( Cerebro Spinal Fluid) leak from the brain has to be ruled out ( CSF Rhinorrhoea)
  • Handkerchief test : If the handkerchief gets stiff on drying then the discharge is nasal secretion. If the handkerchief remains limp on drying then the discharge could be CSF.
  • Glucose test: Normally glucose is absent in nasal secretion. If on examining a sample of nasal secretion in the lab it is reported as positive for glucose, it could be CSF.
  • CT/MRI Scan of the PNS

Treatment:

If CSF leak is left untreated,there is a risk of infection getting into the brain (meningitis) from the nose through the open communication to the brain. Therefore a surgical correction needs to be planned. The surgery can be done endoscopically through the nose.The defect in the skull base where the nose & brain are separated is identified, & the defect is patched up with fat taken from the ear lobe, abdomen or the thigh.Thus an extensive neurosurgical procedure ( Craniotomy) can be avoided.The results are also better with the endoscopic approach.

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