Aspiration of Cerebrospinal Fluid Rhinorrhea as a Cause of Non-resolving Pneumonia

Abstract

We herein report two cases of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) rhinorrhea associated with lung infiltrates. One patient presented with symptomatic non-resolving pneumonia, while the other was asymptomatic. In both cases, the lung infiltrates completely resolved when CSF leakage had subsided. Pulmonary involvement in CSF rhinorrhea is under-recognized, and despite being the definitive treatment, surgery for CSF rhinorrhea is typically postponed due to the presence of lung infiltrates. However, meningitis is a serious complication due to a delay in surgical management. Physicians should be made aware that CSF rhinorrhea is a potential cause of intractable lung infiltrates.