Effect of Severity of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Measured by Clinical Parameters on Laryngeal Mucin Gene Expression

Effect of Severity of Laryngopharyngeal Reflux Measured by Clinical Parameters on Laryngeal Mucin Gene Expression

Background: Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistulae that present as intermittent rhinorrhea can be a diagnostic challenge. Many imaging modalities are currently used for detection of a CSF fistula, including invasive techniques such as CT Cisternography and Radionuclide Cisternography. The purpose of this study is to present our experience with non-invasive imaging of intermittent CSF rhinorrhea.

Methods: Retrospective chart review of New York University Medical Center patient database with suspected intermittent CSF rhinorrhea.

Results: Nine patients were included in this study; a β2-transferrin assay was performed when possible. All patients had imaging that included High-Resolution CT (HRCT), MR Cisternography (MRC), or a combination of the two. When HRCT was combined with MRC the sensitivity and accuracy of detecting and localizing a CSF fistula were both 100%.

Conclusion: Intermittent CSF rhinorrhea may be evaluated with HRCT and MR Cisternography, as these two modalities have good reliability and are non-invasive techniques.