Nasal Discharge
August 13th, 2017
Overview
Interpretation
- Clear discharge - suggestive of allergic rhinitis, viral URTI or CSF leak
- Purulent discharge - suggestive of URTI or sinusitis
Causes of Nasal Discharge
- Infection - URTI, sinusitis
- Hypersensitivity - allergic rhinitis
- CSF leak - due to base of skull fracture
- Epistaxis - physiological, traumatic, coagulopathy
Tip
- In patients with clear nasal discharge and no symptoms of URTI, suspect a CSF leak. Look for raccoon eyes and battle sign as an indicator of base of skull fracture.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------