What is Brain Fluid Leak? Symptoms and Treatment for CSF Leak 

"the patients often know better than the physicians that there's something not quite right" Oh how I wish more doctors took this approach, the world would be a much healthier place.

Health anxiety anyone ?

She seems to be a doctor who wants to care before cure. Very well explained. Thank you!

For those who have nasal dripping, and are concerned it could be CSF leak- there are other symptoms that go along with CSF leaks. Dizziness, Vertigo, vision blurring, severe headaches when upright, falling over/losing balance, ears ringing, tingling in hands & feet. It's a debilitating condition, so you will be ill. Check that you get enough vitamin B & B12 in your diet. Best of luck!

I just got diagnosed with this. I've had it since I broke my nose in 7th grade. It has never been dealt with by a doctor. They always brushed me off and said it was my sinuses. I am 43. I have terrible migraines, clear fluid leaking from my left nostril, light sensitivity, vertigo, and neck pain. But I have always just dealt with it. I just had it confirmed.

This was a scary, yet great video. Was easy to understand and super informative. I have had so many just strange and random symptoms that can easily be written off and are because of how benign they can appear. I'm terrified because I know something is wrong but yet have only gotten the feeling that most doctors will just label me as having anxiety and have actually been told that I should try therapy.

Thank you Dr. Luong for a very concise and easy to understand education about Cerebrocele. You've covered the topic from start to finish and in a very clear way.

This is actually common in patients with known and unknown connective tissue disorders such as Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

I’m in west Texas I’m concerned about possibly having a slow csf leak. 2018 after my second lumbar fusion and laminectomy I had a large csf tear where I was taken back to surgery the next morning and a skin graft taken from my left thigh was used to patch that tear. A year later I was informed by one physician after an MRI of my lumbar back detected a considerable amount of fluid within L4-L5 area and the surgeon who performed my spine surgery said it was okay and nothing ever done about it shortly after this finding I began having multiple spontaneous nose drainage and other symptoms from headaches to vertigo and loss of feeling in my arms and hands. These episodes occurred every two weeks all occurred in the same way upon waking up in the mornings as soon as I stood up from bed the symptoms started and I was confused could not walk or talk I would have to lay down and every episode lasted for 24 hours not fully subsiding until the next morning. This lasted for 8-9 months. I had to have a third lumbar fusion in September 2020 after that surgery which was a 360 degree surgery I ironically had my last suspicious episode in November 2020. All of the physicians in my hometown did not know what I had or why these episodes were occurring I had numerous testing done and everything I had came back normal the mri’s and ct scans of the brain showed mild issues but according to these doctors nothing to warrant any problems. (Will these symptoms return? I recently had an abdominal MRI that detected mild fluid collection in the lumbar region). I am having chronic low back and hip pain still that is different pain from what I was experiencing before my last lumbar fusion.

I have just returned home after being told to get to Sydney for MRI, CT, blood tests and lumbar puncture after having a leak whilst I was asleep. I have had a perforated septum repair surgery earlier this year and had a Covid-19 test done which apparently pierced the lining causing the leak. I had migraines, neck and shoulder pain and felt sick plus clear fluid coming out of my right nostril.I am lucky that my ENT took me serious and had me travel 500 kms to be treated. He thinks the tear has repaired itself but am on heavy pain medication and have collect any fluid if it happens again. This explains a lot to me thank you.

This video was very informative about CSF. I am now 1000% that my friend will have a smooth surgery. She has the spontaneous CSF.

is at possible to fly with an liquorcanal damage, liquorunderpressuere/spinal fluid leak syndrom(not postpuncture) ? and is it possible to fly with this syndrom and a subdural hämatoma caused by liquorunderpressure?

Guys I know, how it feels to have these kinda health issues. I would like to tell u all something. Pls do not ignore any kinda symptoms. Don't get anxious. Go to a doctor n get treated as soon as possible. You're all in my prayers. 🙏 There's nothin tht we can't do. Everything is possible. Be positive n hv courage. Don't lose Hopes ♥️

Thank you mam Im a medical student in india And your videos really help me.. Thanks alote And plz keep posting these kinda videos

what a well constructed explanation, kudos

Excellent explanation!

This is scary but helpful! I had it yesterday at 12 am

It is the consistency that made me start to feel concerned...because it is so clear, but at times almost egg like, and almost seems to like to stay intact together...other times I have seen it so watery I can't lean over without grossing everyone out.

Ik a RU-vid comment section isn’t the place to put this but this is also the most helpful video I’ve seen on it; I’d gone to a weekend long metal festival and while in the mosh pit I’d been hit on the top of my head really hard, I’d refrained from doing anything strenuous for the rest of that day but later when I’d sat down to collect myself I’d suddenly had a whole bunch of fluid come out of my nose, steadily streaming and dripping, it was brownish orangish no doubt initially from blood but it was so watery, later when the festival was coming to an end I’d, excuse me for lack of a better term, snorted a blob of blood when breathing in through my nose really hard and spat it out, it wasn’t mucous of any kind but rather much more viscous almost jelly like, the days that followed I’d be dripping from my nose until a few weeks later it’d almost entirely stopped, the fluid draining to the back of the throat however I think is still super slight almost imperceptible and as the days go by I keep wondering if it’s actually draining anymore or ever did. The fear of it being a CSF leak though is unnerving to say the least

thank you. you explained this in great clear detail.

Hi, My name is Yasmin from Canada. I am very impressed by you educating us regarding CSF. I have a question, when the CSF is leaking behind the throat where does it go. I have been dealing with this from year 2010. In the beginning a lot of clear fluid was draining from my nose. QUESTION REALLY SUFFERING ALSO HAVE A CYST IN THE PINEAL GLAND 7MM WAS IN 2013 NO MRI TAKEN AFTER THAT GETTING A LOT OF PRESSURE IN MY HEAD AND THEN A GUSH OF THICK LIQUID BEHIND MY THROAT. I WILL REALLY APPRECIATE YOUR INPUT. HAVE HAD TOO MANY OPEN HANDED HEAD NECK AND SPINE INJURIES REPLY

THIS WORKS-- It struck me that one of you mentioned a cracking sound, because I also hear that when trying to get CSF out of my ears! I have a Chiari Malformation Type 1 which causes compression to the brainstem and blocks CSF from draining properly at times. That causes Intracranial Hypertension which gives me nasty compression headaches, but also, has caused my dura to expand and thin like an old balloon. But I have had leaks before, that I HAVE BEEN ABLE TO STOP at home, using the advice of my neurologist. If you get pounding headaches that seem to improve with leaking, here's what to do: My first spontaneous leak happened the day after stepping off a plane from Madrid. I don't know if flying (pressure changes) had anything to do with it, or maybe it was the fact that I wore myself out every day of the trip? But I bent over to eat and felt like I had a sudden nosebleed, but it was clear. My neurologist said one simple way to test that fluid, is to use a glucose test strip, since CSF is richer in glucose. You CANNOT use the glucose strips for testing blood. They must be the kind made for testing urine. The test strips are wide and on a kind of bendy, but sharp plastic. For comfort, and to triple the number of tests available, I cut each strip into thirds, lengthwise, with a very clean pair of scissors. (You don't want to contaminate the strips, giving you falls results.) The testing area is only on one end. This gives you 3 thin strips. Wait until fluid collects in your OUTER EAR to test. Don't shove that bad boy into your ear canal!! For the nose leaks, just use the strip directly on the fluid. Then watch to see if the color changes. The test strip bottle shows the colors for positive and negative. A POS reaction does not insure it's CSF, but if you do it a few times with NEG reactions each time, it is NOT CSF. It's just a preliminary test. If the leaked liquid came out positive: Take a caffeine pill, first thing in the AM and a diuretic (reduces excess fluid in the body) and lay flat. Stay in bed flat! Take another caffeine pill with lunch. The caffeine constricts blood vessels. The two over-the-counter drugs together, with as little upright activity as possible for 3-5 days will often allow the body to heal itself, while there is less pressure on the dura. Then, try not to strain in any way for at least a week. I've used this approach 3 or 4 times and it worked like a charm the first 3 times. But my unique health problems have made my dura very easy to spring a leak. I have been leaking out my ears and occasionally out my nose for 3 years now. My neurologist knows that my Chiari condition can often get worse with a lumbar puncture, and I really need a decompression (brain surgery) worse, to stop the myriad of problems in body functioning, that happen when your brain stem isn't happy. I'm dying anyway though, since I also have progressive Mitochondrial Disease which worsens with any illness or stress to the body, so no more surgeries for me. Anyway, to keep this leaking problem from worsening for these last 3 years, without any surgical patches, my neurologist keeps me on Diamox, which reduces the amount of CSF (and lowers the risk of springing new leaks.) The biggest concern with leaking is that if the CSF can cross the blood/brain barrier to get out of your skull, then there is a higher risk of pathogens finding a way into your skull. Contracting meningitis, for example, can be fatal. I have gotten a vaccine to help protect me from that happening, so for me, we've pretty much covered all we can. I think of the leaking as just a nuisance. I hope my experiences will help someone else!

Thank you doctor! This was very helpful 🙂

I was just laughing and it started goining out of my nose out of no where

I've had this for over 2 years, and I had no idea this condition existed. Two wrong diagnoses, never a mention of CSF. For a time I gave up, then search the internet finally entered my leaking brain. "nose runs with clear fluid" brought many results for this surprising ailment. I researched and learned it's treatable. Thanks for your info Dr. Luong

I had an incident last weekend where I had a light burning in the back of the throat, followed by drainage and a distinctive metallic taste, a few hours later I was suffering from the worst migraine I have ever had, aches, chills, light sensitivity, seeing a haze around everything, confusion, nausea, a stiff neck and upper shoulders, and most of the symptoms disappeared while laying down. I should have gone to the doctors then, but I was stubborn. After two days all of the symptoms were lessened and today they are completely gone. I think I had a spontaneous leak, but the time I had the symptoms were really short and the drainage seems to have stopped on its own. Any opinions on if this was a CSF leak, and if it could have been, is there any cause for alarm if the symptoms and drainage has stopped?

Thank you so much for sharing this video Dr Luong... Bog help for me, God blessed :)

I have Lupus and Relapsing polychondritis. Base of my skull burns all the time. Went to 2 dr's. Both said I have a buffalo hump and Lipoma on my neck. I think they should do an MRI. This lump grows and decreases throughout the day. If I put ice on it and lay down it is less painful and starts to get smaller. To sick to fight for help. My family just thinks it's a flare. I increased my prednisone from 5mg to 40mg. It did seem to help stop the lump from moving to the side and front of my neck. Don't know if I should continue to suffer for another month to see if pred works. This started in July 2015 it is now Jan 2016.

This happened to me in school for the first time in my life. But it was so random, I had no trauma event happen to me in the past few months. But then it happened a second time but so one threw a hard object at my head and this time there was alot of fluid. So thanks for this information

Please cover the possibility of EDS in spontaneous cranial leak patients.

Thank you very much for this info and how you explained it 😊

This happened to me last night... Now I can add anxiety to my fear. Awesome.

Mine leaked into my ear. I understand that is more rare, but it may be helpful to mention that there are other areas that can leak and what those symptoms can be. My surgical area was definitely not as accessible.

She is talking about CRANIAL CSF leaks. Then there is also spinal CSF leaks (which is what I suffer from.) Don't get the two confused 😊

Thank you so much for the well explained information. I am experiencing this issue as we communicate. How much this cost? Do you refer a Doctor in California? Thank you

You are fantastic DC Amazing 👌💐

Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this... Is it possible for you to speak about the leakage that happens through the ear, please!?🙏... I have a feeling that the discharge that happens from my left ear is the CSF...

I've had a cranial leak for 3 years now and have only just managed to get taken seriously my the doctors. I finally saw a neurologist in October and had the MRI in January which confirmed a hole causing the leak from my left nostril. Now I have to wait for this pandemic to be over to have my surgery finally 🙏 I have a headache 6 days a week and spend at least 7 hours a day lying down due to the pain. This video is really informative, I wish I had found this years ago 🥰

I wasn't worried about it until now!

My son says that the frequencies , emf, pulse modulation changes in barametric pressures, would most likely create pressure in the cranial cavity.

What wasn't said was that if you get an infection, it can go up the opening and get meningitis. That's the dangerous part to expedite fixing the leak. Thank you Dr. Luong. I wasn't told that the spinal tap would stay for a couple of days.

I have had These Symptoms

This is so well explained

Exception case: minor drainage from one nostril is because CSF pressure inside ventricular system so it's good(rather than shunt process) for CSF diverting otherwise pressure become worsen.

I'm not a victim of car accident, head injury, tumor and sinusitis but when I lean forward my right nostril realises water like fluid and I have head ache.

Me: has runny nose, decides to google how to fix it. Google: Yeah, so you brain is leaking Me: 👁👄👁

Thank you Doctor...

thx for this, well explained

How much more common are these leaks in patients with connective tissue disorders?

Hi Doctor, My husband underwent endoscopic CSF leak repair along with Septoplasty on July 19, 2017 through his right nostril. As the exact location of the leak was not found, based on the presumptions, doctor sealed the soft areas from where the leak was most likely to occur. He found his right nostril wet and recently he got fluid discharge through his left nostril (nearly 8 drops). My question here is, would the leak sealed on the right side can recur in his left side? If so, should he go for another surgery or wait for it to heal by itself. He underwent a great pain in his previous surgery due to the lumbar drain and also find his head heavy as the exact place of leak was not sealed but had many layers of the tissues and muscles filled in the approximate place of leak. Please let us know what to do further. Thanks REVATHY

Will the fluid be sticky? I had strange fluid leak once and would run out like water and was sticky, clear but yellowish when on tissue

So like a built in pressure relief valve.. if left untreated wouldnt the excess pressure just spirt out then the cavity heal up and reseal on its own.. i would think that before the pressure release, a pretty sizable cluster of headaches would be present.. but would also think the ocular nerve would be deformed as well causing eyesight issues or pressure on the back of the eye..

If it switches sides constantly does that mean its not a leak? I get allergies but the liquid is quite clear and watery.

My friend had it after an epidural. The Docs fixed it by given her a transfusion into her spine. Her symptoms were a terrible headache after getting the epidural.

Can u have this after a thoracic trauma around t8-t9 I have been sick for years and years after a back injury ( literally overnight) I have tinnitus and merreieres symptoms after this point also much fluid in the ears and nose .. also had other csf symptoms at times.. ?

I have been experiencing this with also dripping in my head, I thought I was crazy until I saw this video. Now if my dr will listen to me, I do know I have a deviated Septum I was born with. Will see what dr says!

I've been having chronic sinus problems for years but mostly involving post nasal drip on the left side ( my left ) sometimes its constant clear drainage and sometimes it feels so thick and stuck there it causes me to panic from how uncomfortable it is. In bad cases I have to use sinus rinse on that side and abuse anti histamine but not sure if it works or not. It comes back periodically.. I doubt its CSF but it still worries me a lot because I dont really have many allergy symptoms at all, I just feel drainage for long periods of time and forced to swallow and spit and also feels like that side may be inflamed. Whenever this happens its ONLY the left side, thats why I'm worried and thought about CSF. I dont have headaches often, quite rare actually, I vertigo rarely sometimes. It also feels like there's something maybe stuck up on the left side, I can almost feel it if I stretch out my mouth and tonsil on the left side. It made me think there may be some impaction or growth. I've had scans done before in the past but I still don't trust it, because when symptoms clear up I can still feel it sometimes back there on the left side.

I'm so scared, severe headache for days, almost unbearable when I go from lying to standing position. now suddenly a puddle of transparent fluid fell from my nose, it does not continue to leak but a whole puddle came at once. I know this isn't snot..

Thank you.

Mam you explain it very well thank you soo much

Just realized I had this bit I don't anymore

I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome and I have Intracranial hypertension.

My left ear is filling with fluid in a place that shouldn't be,on the inside of my upper cartilage area. Could it be CFS?

I've had leaks before from my right side nostril, not sure if it's connected but I had major face reconstruction a fair few years ago, is this something I should worry about?

What if the fluid is not coming down my nose....It's happening at the back and could be going down my throat? I do have phlegm in my throat area.

I only have it once in awhile like every 6 months

I have had CSF leaks twice. Both times mine leaked out of my left ear not my nose. Now I have it happening again this will make a 3rd surgery for this.

I have multiple sclerosis since 2003. I have these symptoms

If it will help for someone... My daughter had csf leak from her born. She had leak from left nostril. 6 years all doctors told that it’s running nose, allergy, cold and something else. She had liquid from only one nostril, that liquid was so clear, no smell, solt. When she got meningitis she had mri and ct, and then they are diagnosed some cranial defect. Ent and neurosurgeon doctors repair that defect.

Just a few minutes ago (Yup I immediately went to Google and RU-vid because I have anxiety) I had this liquid feeling on top of my head. I still have it now and it feels cold and I have a headache. I'm just really scared also I'm 13 by the way and I told my mom about it but she just said it was because of my phone or something :(.

Common after head injury. Is there any danger of infection I wonder?

I've been trying to get my doctor to pay attention to this I get infusions at my home for dysautonomia three times a week and the leaking is always out of the left side of my nose and when I'm on the ivy it is more study I'm very sick

I experienced this today, and I’m really hoping it’s just a sinus infection or allergies but I’ve never experienced this before and I’m slightly concerned lol

Can ur eye and back of ear hurt. I feel water on the back of my neck and ear/side of head

Any chance of something like this happening to someone from wearing over ear headphones pretty much every day?

I Fell From Like 11-12 Feet And I've Now Been Having This Problem Very Frequent.

I just had this and I thought I had a bloody nose at first and it run out like water it just happened just a few minutes to me but I never had brain surgery and as far as I know I never have hit my head to cause injury and I never had nose surgery or a brain tumor or any kind of operation done to my brain this is the first time this has ever happened to me that's why I looked it up online to see what caused it to happen because I don't have a cold and as far as I know my allergies are OK when my allergies do kick in that's when the pollen is out and flying through the air then it feels like I have a cold then I take allergy pills for that I am so glad I found you on RU-vid and listened to your Channel now I think I will call my doctor and see what she says by any chance could seizures cause this also?

Today I woke up with an extremely stuffy nose. I kept trying to blow my nose but then soon later in the day this clear liquid started to leak out of my left nostril. I didn’t think much of it and out of curiosity I googled it. After reading trough a few articles I’m kind of scared??? I don’t have any tumours of stuff like that and it’s the first time I’m getting this so I’m not sure if it’s spontaneous. Help?

My dura is infected.and the base of my spine has tremendous inflammation pushing up.the surgin never finished that part of the surgery.?

Thanks doctor

A simple glucose test on the fluid can tell you if its csf.

I experienced EXACTLY this in 2020. I had the symptoms for about 7 years and was told it was just a migraine and allergies. I had the migraines every single, dizziness, spots in my vision, photophobia, ringing in my ears.. In 2020, I started noticing the leak when I bent down or finished working out. Long story short, I had Idiopathic Intracranial Hypotension with a spontaneous encephalocele and of course CSF Rhinorrhea. I had no prior accident or injury, by the way. After all of the scans and MRIs, they found the encephalocele/hole located in my nasal cavity and saw some of the dura poking out. I had a repair in October of 2020, through my nose. It was successful, but I also had a lumbar drain because the CSF pressure was extremely high. The hole where the drain was never closed up and I had a leak for about a month. It was painful for my head. I had to go back a month later for an MRI on my back. They located the hole and did a epidural blood patch to insert and seal the hole. I had to lay on my back for 3 days.. I didn't find relief until after 3 weeks to a month. I was also on Diamox to keep the csf fluid pressure down, as a precaution. It was also to alleviate the thickness of the optic nerve in my left eye. I had some complications afterward, and I currently still deal with it. But this October will make 2 years since my surgery and I'm doing quite alright! Thanks for this video! This condition is commonly unheard of, so the video is much appreciated.

gr8 info thanks

THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

Hi doc ! I have all the symptoms except a very bad headache I do have a headache but it’s not very severe . I have clear fluid running out of my left nostril but it’s not a lot and also the fluid is going down my throat . I feel really nauseous , I have very blurred vision , ringing in right ear and the left one has a wind sound. And I also have dizziness. I had an Mri for my brain with and without contrast and they told me everything is normal! I went to my eye doctor and he said everything is ok. And my neurologist said the same thing! But I don’t feel normal at all. 😔 I’m so scared I want to come to you to do the proper tests to find out what’s wrong with me😔 I have other issues in my spine because of a trauma to my spine. 😔 please help me

I’m in the ER right now, cause I think this is what I have. Head is pounding on the right side and little bit towards the left side too, light headed, I feel very very dizzy & a uncomfortable feeling. When my head is tilted a certain way, it starts to leak yellow & the texture is like if you have a runny nose from a cold/flu. And lastly, when I blow my nose, big pieces/chunks of it comes out & I tried without a napkin & blew straight into the sink & it looked like a Lugy. A giant yellow lugy. As in typing this, my head is killin me & I can barely keep my eyes open.. The wife is tryin to keep me up, but it’s not easy.. Plz guys, a little prayer for me or something. I’m scared cuz of the symptoms & things it’s saying it can happen it not treated properly. I’ve been having off and on these headaches for weeks/Months. But, I’m terrified now cuz how the yellow leakage happened last night. (I’m sorry for the long message guys, I’m just scared)

Thanks for the information! A private hospital won't do this surgery on someone I know because they want $10,800 we have all but $900 & they are refusing to do the surgery?! Micro General Phychatric Home in San Francisco, CA!

Been vaping almost 9 years now, I deal with this leakyness for a year now. Think that could be it?

Been palmed of with nasal sprays since 2017 salt taste in mouth told them about the csf not one thing done cranial leak due to head trauma had experienced balance is awful. They tried to say it was vertigo think a person knows there own body my spinal area also effected went to an ent doc who staated it was a neuro issue living hell it effects daily activity fit for nothing they said post nasal drip mine been continuous headaches eye leaky sinus one side blocked due to see a neuro soon but from what i gather and was told nothing can be done been off balance since 2017 fluid pressure in ears muffled hearing woulnt wish it upon anyone but info on this vid helpful will indeed pass it on to neuro

my mother has been diagnosed with CSF leak she got this Leak 3 years before we tried to cover this with the help of medicines but all in vain now doctor has suggested the surgery we are so terrified of this surgery because in Pakistan doctors are not experienced for such cases ... they know nothing about the endoscopic surgery but i know that she could cover this with the help of conservative management but here in Pakistan doctors don't even know about lumber drain and all those managements before recommending surgery feeling totally helpless .. don't know what to do ... i love her so much .. i don't want her to become an experiment for the doctors ... if you can help us please guide us ...

I beleive i have a cranail leak my mri without contrast showed fluid thickening in my right maxillary sinus and left middle ear...ive been bed ridden with severe innercranial hypertension for months how can i get this diagnosed. No fluid is comming out but i taste saltyness from my sinus in the back of my throat. Who do i need to be refured too? And what scan can diagnose it. my ent and nurologist are not listening to me.

When this fluid dries, what is the consistency of the dried fluid? When it comes from the nose.

I get these often for seemingly no reason. Always paired with a pressure headache.

My best friend had this for years and she died recently. She would stuff bits of clothes in her nostrils to soak it up while she slept because the flow was so much.

Prior sinus surgery but it’s been about 6 years since. I’ve had cervical spine surgery twice a year ago. Past week or two when I bend down I get clear fluid leaking out of my nose. Only on the right side. It’s completely clear and salty and very watery. It drips out. Guess I’ll call my doctor.

Great video. Could a nasal balloon which was used to stop an epistaxis cause a brain fluid leak?

I have all the symptoms of a spinal fluid leak. A c.t .scan with contrast did not pick up a leak but there were some irregularities with my spine so a blood patch was done. I have been suffering with constant headaches for over two years now. I dont have nasal leaking but the headache intensifies when I lean forward, stand up, and sneeze or cough. Nothing has been decided as the next step, but it will probably be another c t scan and blood patches. I have lost more than two years of my life with no real cure in sight. Y E

Yes i am suffering with CSF leak, after having sinus surgery, doctors didn't identify any leak, after two weeks it occurs again, I am from India, doctor what should I do? Regards Bikramjeet singh

Hi doc. Just wana know why some kind of fluid drips from my nose when I bend down last night until now...?what am I supposed to do

My neurologist sent me for a lumbar puncture about a year ago. It helped but now it's back. I know i have chiari malformation (I have marfan syndrome). Has anyone had reoccurring leaks even after their lumbar puncture? I don't want to do another LP the spinal headaches are horrendous.