Man’s 6-Year Headache and Runny Nose Revealed to be Leaking Brain Fluid

A 20-year-old Syrian man’s persistent headache and runny nose turned out to be a rare condition where fluid was leaking from his brain.

The Journal of Medical Case Reports shares the extraordinary case of a young Syrian man who suffered a head injury in a car accident six years ago. He experienced recurring convulsions, headaches, and a runny nose, which he initially dismissed as a common cold.

However, upon consulting a doctor, it was discovered that the man’s symptoms were caused by a “leaky brain,” where cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was leaking from his brain. CSF is a clear fluid that protects the brain and spine.

Medical examination revealed that the man had meningitis, which caused the cerebrospinal fluid to leak out. Imaging tests showed that fluid from his brain was leaking from an opening in his skull. This rare condition, known as a CSF leak, occurs in approximately 1 in 10,400 births.

The man was admitted to intensive care for a month and underwent an MRI of the brain. The test results showed a skull fracture and swelling in the brain. Although the doctor recommended surgery, the patient initially refused. However, he returned for surgery a month later.

The case study report states that the surgery was successful in restoring the displaced brain tissue to its normal position, repairing the meningeal layer, and reconstructing the skull base. The patient’s recovery after surgery was uneventful.