Nose-blowing and CSF rhinorrhoea

Cavernous Sinus Syndrome After Barotraumatic Sneeze

“…The patient in the current report developed air in her cavernous sinus after an isolated episode of sneezing, after which she immediately noticed severe retrobulbar pain followed by diplopia and facial numbness. Similar to previous studies, this patient had bony dehiscence of the lateral wall of the sphenoid sinus which presumably allowed for the extrasinus spread of air (2)(3)(4). The current report helps support the theory that sinus wall bony dehiscence places one at risk of pneumocephalus or orbital emphysema in the setting of sinus barotrauma.…”

“…Extrasinus complications of sphenoid sinus barotrauma can occur because of the close proximity of the sinus to the intraorbital and intracranial spaces. Sphenoid sinus barotrauma can cause pneumocephalus and possibly intraorbital or intracranial infections (2)(3)(4)(5). Bony dehiscence of sinus walls presumably increases the risk of extrasinus spread of air or infection in the setting of sinus barotrauma.…”

“…Sinus barotrauma results from an inability to equalize pressure changes between the sinus cavity and surrounding atmosphere (1). Sinus barotrauma can result in various complications including orbital complications, meningitis, and pneumocephalus (2–5). Sphenoid sinus barotrauma can cause pneumocephalus after sneezing (2), scuba diving (3), and nose blowing (4), but has not been reported to cause CSS.…”

Obesity as a Risk Factor for Primary Spontaneous Rhinoliquorrhea

“…The latter is defined as primary spontaneous CSFR and has been documented several times in the literature. [5][6][7][8] Several hypothetical causes are stated among this group in which the origin of CSFR (such as a Valsalva effect of sneezing or nose blowing 6,7 ) is unclear. In a recent survey, 9 the data of 9 patients seen within 10 years with primary spontaneous CSFR are presented, among which 6 are clinically obese by definition with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 30 (calculated as weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters).…”

Cavernous sinus thrombosis following manipulation of fractured nasal bones

“…Trauma and nasal surgery rarely lead to the development of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis. There are reports of septic cavernous sinus thrombosis following nose blowing (Orrell et al, 1991) and head trauma (Coll et al, 1994). Nasal surgical procedures mentioned in the literature to be complicated by cavernous sinus thrombosis have included rhinoplasty (Casaubon et al, 1977;Marshal and Slattery, 1983), septoplasty (Haddad et al, 1985) and nasal polypectomy (Nielsen et al, 1992).…”