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Can Brain Fluid Leak Into The Ear?
Question: can the brain lik fluid in to the ear ?
Brief Answer:
CSF otorhoea.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
Yes brain fluid called cerebro spinal fluid(CSF) can leak into the middle ear.
This happens in cases of ear infection, head injury where the roof of the middle ear is traumatised,post operatively due to surgical trauma and rarely congenital leak because of the dehiscene of the roof of ear.
Investigation would be gadolinium enhanced MR I scan with contrast.
Treatment option is surgical repair.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.
CSF otorhoea.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your query.
Yes brain fluid called cerebro spinal fluid(CSF) can leak into the middle ear.
This happens in cases of ear infection, head injury where the roof of the middle ear is traumatised,post operatively due to surgical trauma and rarely congenital leak because of the dehiscene of the roof of ear.
Investigation would be gadolinium enhanced MR I scan with contrast.
Treatment option is surgical repair.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju
would a hearing test be required to determine this ?
Brief Answer:
Yes, tympanometry test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your follow up query.
Hearing test called impedance audiometry can be done to detect fluid in the middle ear. If it is present the tympanometry shows flat curve.
But the fluid in middle ear is csf only, that cannot be ruled out.
For this MR I with contrast will help.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.
Yes, tympanometry test.
Detailed Answer:
Hi, thanks for your follow up query.
Hearing test called impedance audiometry can be done to detect fluid in the middle ear. If it is present the tympanometry shows flat curve.
But the fluid in middle ear is csf only, that cannot be ruled out.
For this MR I with contrast will help.
Hope my answers have helped you. Thanks.
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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