Rare case of Iatrogenic CSF leak after Nasal swab testing for COVID 19 reported

 Christopher Blake Sullivan and et al from the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City reported a rare case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after nasal testing for COVID-19. This is the first-ever reported case published in the journal "JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery" 2020.

The global pandemic COVID 19 has created havoc since its emergence. As per the recommendations by the US Center for Disease Control and Prevention, testing for the SARS-CoV-2 from the nasopharyngeal, anterior nasal, and mid turbinate swabs are 3 of the 5 methods for initial diagnostic specimen collection. But complications associated with nasal swab testing are not well characterized and documented to date.

Iatrogenic cerebrospinal fluid leak after Nasal swab testing for COVID 19.Also Read:Rare Case of calcified gallbladder reported in NEJM

The case in point is a woman in her 40s who presented with unilateral rhinorrhea, metallic taste, headache, neck stiffness, and photophobia. As per history, the patient had recently taken nasal COVID-19 testing for an elective hernia repair after which she developed the symptoms of unilateral rhinorrhea, headache, and vomiting. There was clear rhinorrhea from the right side on the physical examination. Past medical history revealed idiopathic intracranial hypertension and removal of nasal polyps 20 yrs back.