Platelet Rich Fibrin for Post Covid Nasal Swab Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak

Nasopharyngeal swab collection procedure has been used as a part of COVID-19 testing. Few cases of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following nasopharyngeal swab have been reported so far. Here, we report an interesting case of CSF leak following nasopharyngeal swab for COVID testing which we repaired using platelet-rich fibrin as an outpatient department procedure.

Cerebrospinal fluid fistula post nasal swab for diagnosis of COVID-19. Case report and literature review

Introduction: Nasal swab tests have been widely used to diagnose and prevent the spread of pandemic coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and their use has increased considerably because in practice it has been a safe and well-tolerated test. However, there are some reports about some of its complications. Nasal swab tests have been widely used to diagnose and prevent the spread of pandemic coronavirus infection (COVID-19) and their use has increased considerably because in practice it has been a safe and well-tolerated test. However, there are some reports about some of its complications. This study aimed to describe an autochthonous case of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak after nasal testing for COVID-19 and review the adverse events that predispose to this complication, its therapeutic management, and recommend references to minimize its risks. Case report: A 35-year-old man had continuous watery right rhinorrhea on the 5th day after a nasal swab to determine COVID-19. Diagnostic suspicion of CSF leak was established 6 weeks after the onset of rhinorrhea, initially diagnosed as allergic rhinitis. Rhinoendoscopic and radiological findings were inconclusive for a skull base fistulous defect but revealed a fragile Ethmoidal roof. Lab tests (β-2 Transferrin) confirmed CSF in the nasal fluid. This last test was aligned with the diagnosis of a CSF leak possibly through a Cribriform plate fragile. After medical treatment CSF rhinorrhea progressively decreased and disappeared. During a 12-weeks follow-up period, no recurrent rhinorrhea was observed. Conclusion: A CSF leak can be a serious accidental complication after performing nasal swab testing for COVID-19. © 2022 Academia Nacional de Medicina. All rights reserved.

Cerebrospinal fluid leak postnasopharyngeal swab for SARS-CoV-2 testing: A case report.

Background: Due to the SARS-CoV-2 virus pandemic and its rapid spread worldwide, an early and effective detection strategy was the nasopharyngeal reverse transcription polymerase swab tests, a procedure still performed today. A relatively safe procedure when done correctly, however, one of the rare complications reported in the literature includes a cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Case Description: A 69-year-old female patient presented to the emergency department with clear fluid rhinorrhea, clinically diagnosed with a CSF fistula after a SARS-CoV-2 nasopharyngeal swab. Resulting computed tomography and magnetic resonance images did not report any abnormalities; however, persistence of clear fluid rhinorrhea obligated pharmacological treatment without resolution, requiring insertion of a lumbar catheter to achieve clinical resolution. Conclusion: It is essential to train staff to correctly administer nasopharyngeal swabs and thus reduce the rate of complications, as well as early recognition of symptoms and signs of CSF fistula.

Platelet rich fibrin for post covid nasal swab cerebrospinal fluid leak

Nasopharyngeal swab collection procedure has been used as a part of COVID-19 testing. Few cases of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak following nasopharyngeal swab have been reported so far. Here, we report an interesting case of CSF leak following nasopharyngeal swab for COVID testing which we repaired using platelet-rich fibrin as an outpatient department procedure. © 2022 Journal of Head and Neck Physicians and Surgeons Published by Wolters Kluwer-Medknow.

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak after performing PCR test using a nasal swab for the detection of COVID-19 disease. A Systematic review

Introduction and objective: Cerebrospinal fluid leaks (CSF) can occur after trauma, this leads to a disruption between the arachnoid and the dura, frequently associated with a bone defect. The global epidemic produced by COVID-19 has generated the need for rapid tests to detect the virus in the nasal and oropharyngeal mucosa. Nasal swabs (NS) have proven to be useful in collecting nasopharyngeal specimens and therefore their use has become widespread. This diagnostic method is considered safe, but there are a number of possible complications, including one of the most feared;CSF leak. The objective of this article is to carry out an exhaustive bibliographic review of available articles that describe this complication, investigating the predisposing factors and describe a safe technique to avoid it. Method: PubMed, Web of Science and Scopus databases were searched according to PRISMA guidelines, from March 2020 to November 2021. Studies reporting clinical data of patients with CSF leak after being subjected to NS were reviewed. We focus on the alarm symptoms presented, diagnostic strategies and therapeutic management. Results: To date, eleven published cases have been reported of patients with a diagnosis of CSF leaks caused by performig a PCR test using a nasal swab. All the articles were included in this systematic review. Each article described this complication in one patient, so we have a total of eleven patients. The average age at diagnosis was 45 years, with 8 women and 3 men. The cribriform plate is the most frequently affected anatomical location. In five patients, 45,5%, the preexistance of malformation at the level of the skull base was known, which corresponds to a risk factor when suffering a CSF leaks after NS. Conclusion: Although the nasal swab test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is considered safe, it can sometimes lead to complications. The appearance of unilateral clear rhinorrhea or post-nasal drip with a salty or metallic taste after performing a NS should alert us when diagnosing a possible CSF leak. It is extremely important to adequately instruct the health workers to perform the test, indicating the correct direction and orientation of the swab. In addition, the patient should be informed of the warning signs and symptoms. In patients with previous skull base alteration, nasal anatomy distortion or previous sinus surgeries.

Traumatic cerebrospinal fluid leak alter performing PCR test using a nasal swab for the detection of COVID-19 disease. A case report

Introduction and objective: Cerebrospinal fluid leaks can occur after trauma, this leads to a disruption between the arachnoid and the dura, frequently associated with a bone defect. The global epidemic produced by COVID-19 has generated the need for rapid tests to detect the virus in the nasal and oropharyngeal mucosa. Nasal swabs (NS) have proven to be useful in collecting nasopharyngeal specimens and therefore their use has become widespread. The objective of this article is to describe a potential complication of the NS PCR test, such as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks, by reporting a clinical case. Method: The case of a patient who suffers a CSF leak after performing a PCR test using a NS is presented, the diagnosis and management are explained, detailing the complementary tests and the final treatment. Discussion: CSF leaks is a rare complication of NS tests. Despite this, persistent unilateral rhinorrhea does exist and should be considered first after performing this test. Currently, there are few cases published in the literature that describe this possible complication. Conclusions: Although the NS test for the diagnosis of COVID-19 is considered safe, it can sometimes lead to complications. The appearance of unilateral clear rhinorrhea or post-nasal drip with a salty or metallic taste after performing a NS should alert us when diagnosing a possible CSF leak. It is extremely important to adequately instruct the health workers to perform the test, indicating the correct direction and orientation of the swab. In addition, the patient should be informed of the warning signs and symptoms. In patients with previous skull base alterations, distortion of the nasal anatomy or previous sinus surgeries, it may be advisable to use other types of tests available to diagnose COVID-19.

COVID-19 Testing in the Era of Modern Neurosurgery: Mitigating Risk in Our Vulnerable Patient Populations.

BACKGROUND: The respiratory illness identified as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has resulted in a pandemic illness that has changed the face of healthcare. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, patients have continued to require neurosurgical interventions, and the endoscopic endonasal approach for surgery has continued to be a mainstay treatment of pituitary tumors and anterior skull base lesions. METHODS: We sought to highlight the current lack of recommendations regarding testing protocols for neurosurgical patients. RESULTS: We implemented a novel testing protocol for our patient populations at increased risk and have proposed a model that can be used at other institutions to mitigate the risk of complications associated with some forms of COVID-19 testing. CONCLUSION: Patients with anterior skull base defects may be at risk with current COVID-19 testing protocols, and may benefit from alternative specimen collection strategies.

CSF Rhinorrhea After Endonasal Intervention to the Skull Base (CRANIAL) - Part 2: Impact of COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, concerns have been raised regarding the increased risk of perioperative mortality for patients with COVID-19, and the transmission risk to healthcare workers, especially during endonasal neurosurgical operations. The Pituitary Society has produced recommendations to guide management during this era. We sought to assess contemporary neurosurgical practice and the effects of COVID-19. METHODS: A multicenter prospective observational cohort study was conducted at 12 tertiary neurosurgical units (United Kingdom and Ireland). Data were collected from March 23 to July 31, 2020, inclusive. The data points collected included patient demographics, preoperative COVID-19 test results, operative modifications, and 30-day COVID-19 infection rates. RESULTS: A total of 124 patients were included. Of the 124 patients, 116 (94%) had undergone COVID-19 testing preoperatively (transsphenoidal approach, 97 of 105 [92%]; expanded endoscopic endonasal approach, 19 of 19 [100%]). One patient (1 of 116 [0.9%]) had tested positive for COVID-19 preoperatively, requiring a delay in surgery until the infection had been confirmed as resolved. Other than transient diabetes insipidus, no other complications were reported for this patient. All operating room staff had worn at least level 2 personal protective equipment. Adaptations to surgical techniques included minimizing drilling, draping modifications, and the use of a nasal iodine wash. At 30 days postoperatively, no evidence of COVID-19 infection (symptoms or positive formal testing results) were found in our cohort and no mortality had occurred. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative screening protocols and operative modifications have facilitated endonasal neurosurgery during the COVID-19 pandemic, with the Pituitary Society guidelines followed for most of these operations. We found no evidence of COVID-19 infection in our cohort and no mortality, supporting the use of risk mitigation strategies to continue endonasal neurosurgery in subsequent pandemic waves.

Nasoseptal Flap Necrosis After Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery in the Setting of COVID-19 Pandemic.

BACKGROUND: A novel viral strain known as severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has created a worldwide pandemic known as coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19). Early reports from China have highlighted the risks associated with performing endoscopic endonasal skull base surgery in patients with SARS-CoV-2. We present a rare complication of nasoseptal flap (NSF) necrosis associated with COVID-19, further emphasizing the challenges of performing these procedures in this era. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 78-year-old man underwent an extended endoscopic endonasal transplanum resection of a pituitary macroadenoma for decompression of the optic chiasm. The resulting skull base defect was repaired using a pedicled NSF. The patient developed meningitis and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak on postoperative day 13, requiring revision repair of the defect. Twelve days later, he developed persistent fever and rhinorrhea. The patient was reexplored endoscopically, and the NSF was noted to be necrotic and devitalized with evident CSF leakage. At that time, the patient tested positive for SARS-CoV-2. Postoperatively, he developed acute respiratory distress syndrome complicated by hypoxic respiratory failure and death. CONCLUSIONS: To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of NSF necrosis in a patient with COVID-19. We postulate that the thrombotic complications of COVID-19 may have contributed to vascular pedicle thrombosis and NSF necrosis. Although the pathophysiology of SARS-CoV-2 and its effect on the nasal tissues is still being elucidated, this case highlights some challenges of performing endoscopic skull base surgery in the era of COVID-19.