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Kendra JacksonAmerican woman whose runny nose turned out to be a spinal fluid leak
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- A Woman's "Runny Nose" Turns out to be Leaking Spinal Fluid
- Years of Misdiagnosis
- Persistence Pays Off
- Trauma to Trigger
- A New Life
- CSF's Vital Role
- Consequences of CSF Leaks
A Woman's "Runny Nose" Turns out to be Leaking Spinal Fluid
Kendra Jackson, an American from Omaha, Nebraska, endured years of an unrelenting "runny nose" only to discover to her horror that it was cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pouring out of her nose.
Years of Misdiagnosis
Initially thinking it was just a cold, Jackson's symptoms persisted for years, accompanied by coughing, sneezing, and headaches. "I would go through a box of tissues a day," Jackson said. "It was like Niagara Falls coming out of my nose." Doctors suspected allergies, but Jackson knew something more was amiss.
Persistence Pays Off
Jackson's unwavering determination led to a proper diagnosis: a CSF leak. At the Nebraska Medical Center, Dr. Christie Barnes and her ENT team discovered that Jackson was losing about half a pint of CSF through her nose daily. Using endoscopes and specialized tools, the doctors sealed the hole between Jackson's skull and nasal cavity using her own fat tissue.
Trauma to Trigger
Jackson believes the leak was triggered by a head injury she sustained in a 2013 car accident, where she hit her face on the dashboard. Before the leak was fixed, she was "sleep-deprived and like a zombie."
A New Life
"I don't go through tissues anymore," Jackson said. "And I have no problem falling asleep."
CSF's Vital Role
Cerebrospinal fluid, found in the ventricles of the brain and surrounding the brain and spinal cord, helps maintain constant pressure within the skull. It also provides mechanical protection for the brain and spinal cord. The normal CSF volume in adults is 100-150 ml.
Consequences of CSF Leaks
CSF leaks can lead to meningitis, an inflammation of the brain and spinal cord membranes.
