Nasal Cerebrospinal Leaks in the Milieu of COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Background The unintentional ingestion of oropharyngeal or gastric contents into the respiratory tract is known as aspiration. Rhinorrhea can cause aspiration pneumonia (cerebrospinal fluid leakage). Objective There are only a few reports in the literature about pneumonia as a complication of rhinorrhea. There are no reports on how to handle such cases if they present to the clinic at the peak of COVID-19 disease and distinguish between these two conditions. Methods We reviewed the literature and retrospectively analyzed the clinical information and treatment protocols used to treat the two clinical cases. Results By screening the COVID-19 PCR and antibodies more than twice, surgery was postponed for 10–14 days in both cases to rule out COVID-19-induced pneumonia. Chest CT scans still revealed ground glass opacities. In both cases, the skull base defect was repaired. In both cases, radiological signs of rhinorrhea-induced pneumonia had completely resolved at the 24- and 30-day follow-ups. Conclusion CSF aspiration causes radiological changes in the lungs in rhinnorhea. This is a short-term local decrease in lung tissue airness (partial filling of alveoli with fluids), which is visible radiographically (ground-glass opacities). To rule out COVID-19 infection, surgery should be postponed for 10–14 days, and PCR and antibodies (IgG,IgM) should be performed at least twice. If the COVID-19 screening test is negative, repair surgery can be scheduled.