Posttraumatic delayed cranio-orbital cerebrospinal fluid leakage: case report.

Abstract

A 56-year-old man sustained subarachnoid haemorrhage, skull base fracture and multiple facial fractures in a traffic accident. Two weeks later, the patient developed a subperiosteal fluid collection into the orbit of the right side presenting with a progressive proptosis and an increased intraocular pressure. We performed drainage of the fluid on the superior part of the right orbit, followed by a surgical reduction of the facial fractures. The patient had no exophthalmos any longer, whose intraocular pressure was normalised. In conclusion, our case indicates that careful monitoring of clinical signs and a follow-up radiography would be mandatory for patients with craniocerebral trauma despite a lack of the definite symptoms. Clinicians should consider the possibility that the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leakage into the orbit might occur in these patients.