Clinical Presentation and Epidemiology of Spontaneous Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks.

Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks are increasingly common for otolaryngologists to identify and treat. Patients may present with clinical symptoms of headache, pulsatile tinnitus, aural fullness, muffled hearing, vertigo, clear otorrhea, or salty, metallic-tasting rhinorrhea. Spontaneous CSF leaks are strongly associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and share common risk factors and demographics with patients with IIH. Otolaryngologists should be aware and skilled at the diagnosis of spontaneous CSF leaks, given its negative impact on quality of life for these patients, along with the significantly increased risk of meningitis if untreated.