Elevated intracranial pressure in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea.

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS To determine the prevalence of elevated intracranial hypertension in patients with spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid otorrhea (SCSFO). STUDY DESIGN Case series with chart review at a tertiary care academic medical center following institutional review board approval. METHODS A retrospective review was performed of patients undergoing operative repair of SCSFO between January 2007 and May 2012. RESULTS Thirty-eight patients underwent operative repair of SCSFO. Of these, 22 underwent postoperative lumbar puncture with measurement of opening pressure. The opening pressure was elevated (> 20 cm/H2 0) in eight patients (36.4%). Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was available for review by a neuroradiologist in 27 patients. Radiographic evidence of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) was present in 48.1% of patients. CONCLUSION Elevated ICP is common in patients with SCSFO. However, as only a minority of patients have elevated ICP, it is not the sole factor in the development of SCSFO.