Possible CSF Leak?

[sakeeta]

Can long term dental abcesses cause a csf leak?  I have severe dental problems, and I am going to be getting dentures very soon.  I have had these problems for many years.
A couple of weeks ago, I started having very bad headaches, and I noticed a clear fluid coming out of my right nostril periodically.  It is getting worse, both the leaking and the headache.  I have had no other trauma to my head (recently) or infections other than my teeth, and I have no history of sinus infection at all.

[MaliciousB]

Hey, I have the same symptoms.  One person says that it is brain fluid, the next 10 doctors say it isn't.  I've been sick for months and I'm at the end of my rope, I'm desperate for help but as I'm not bleeding out or burning up doctors just don't give a you know what.  I've seen ENT's, Neuro's, PCP's, Urologists, Nurtritionist/Dietician, had 3 or 4 CT scans, prob 34 tubes of blood, Chest Xray, Abdominal Xray I mean the list goes on man...this will likely kill me and I'm 24 years old.  Been this way for 5 months plus, and that is just like time I kept track of, prob 2 or 3 years of misc other illness that I just pushed through and looked over.  I've gotten so bad I've been out of work, hardly leave the house because every step I take makes my head throb, eyes are so blood shot I look stoned 24-7 BUT I don't have a fever so I'm all good right?  Good luck buddy, hope you got better luck and doctors than I.  Again, chances are I will be on my death bed(prob the one I'll be laying back down in shortly) before any doctors will do any more than push a few buttons on there keyboard, take my money and send me home.  Miserable life.  Good Luck

[PaulMD]

Hi there.

It is very hard to tell if the tooth infections can cause CSF leak though extensive abscesses specially on the upper molar areas may sometimes be severe enough to cause this (but this is very rare indeed).  Also, I'm not entirely convinced that the leaking maybe indeed CSF.  Your headaches and watery nasal discharge may be explained by chronic sinusitis.  However, I suggest you take this to your doctor to be properly evaluated.  He may request imaging studies such as x rays or ct-scan.  

Regards and God bless.