International Clinical Neuroscience Journal

Vol. 11 No. 1 (2024)

From Diarrhea to CSF Leak: A Case Report of a Deaf Child CSF rhinorrhea in a deaf child

International Clinical Neuroscience Journal, Vol. 11 No. 1 (2024), 4 November 2025 , Page e10
https://doi.org/10.22037/icnj.v11i1.48014

Abstract

Parenteral diarrhea due to infections outside the gastrointestinal tract is a well-known entity in pediatrics. We report a case where a child with invasive pneumococcal infection presented with parenteral diarrhea and later CSF rhinorrhea, revealing the underlying inner ear malformation. A 15-month-old male child with isolated language delay due to congenital hearing loss presented with pneumococcal septic shock following acute gastroenteritis. Two days later, CSF rhinorrhoea was noted. The Child was stabilised with intravenous fluids and antibiotic therapy. Computed tomography imaging revealed a congenital bony inner ear malformation (IEM). Recurrent meningitis can occur due to communication between IEM and the subarachnoid space. CSF otorrhoea presenting as rhinorrhoea can occur due to meningitis with raised intracranial pressure. Children presenting with invasive pneumococcal infection and sensorineural hearing loss should be evaluated for predisposing factors, such as cerebrospinal fluid leaks, which can unmask underlying inner ear abnormality.

Keywords:
  • Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea
  • congenital inner ear malformation
  • pediatric meningitis

How to Cite

1.
Ilango G, Kalaimani U, V.M. L, Ezhumalai G, Mary Kurien, Kumar Kommu PP, et al. From Diarrhea to CSF Leak: A Case Report of a Deaf Child: CSF rhinorrhea in a deaf child. Int Clin Neurosci J [Internet]. 2025 Nov. 4 [cited 2026 Jul. 5];11(1):e10. Available from: https://journals.sbmu.ac.ir/neuroscience/article/view/48014

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