Repair of CSF leak from the ear in Iran
Compared to skin wounds, brain injuries are considered more dangerous because brain cells do not renew themselves. Therefore, they require more protection. Your body provides such a level of protection by surrounding the brain by a clear liquid that is called Cerebrospinal Fluid or CSF for short. However, CSF can leak either from the nose or from the ear because of either an injury or a previous surgery. CSF leak can be quite dangerous and requires proper treatment, but since the repair of CSF leak from the ear can be quite expensive in some countries, it is common to see many patients traveling abroad to have the treatment elsewhere.
Whether you are considering undergoing CSF leak repair in your local hospital or you are one of those who are looking for other places to have more affordable treatment, we advise you to consider undergoing CSF leak repair in Iran with Dr. Saeedi, the distinguished board certified ENT and otolaryngology surgeon with a fellowship in head and neck surgery.
What is CSF?
CSF or cerebrospinal fluid is a clear fluid that surrounds both the brain and the spinal cord. The main function of CSF is to provide protection for the brain as it serves as a cushion that supports the brain but it also provides nutrients to the brain and helps removing waste produced from cerebral metabolism.
What is a CSF leak?
In general, CSF leak is the case when CSF starts leaking out of the head due to a perforation in the dura. It usually happens due to a trauma or because of a certain operation.
CSF leakage from ear
CSF leak from the ear is usually rare, and the drainage of CSF from the ear requires the presence of tympanic membrane perforation or a certain defect in the external ear. In some cases, the patient might suffer from CSF leak through the otologic structure without having actual drainage from the ear.
Even though CSF leak from the ear is usually rare, is can be very dangerous and requires immediate treatment to prevent any possibility of meningitis.
Symptoms of CSF leak from the ear
CSF leak from the ear usually involves hearing loss in the affected ear and an increase in pressure in the ear. It is possible to have meningitis due to this leak. Having CSF leak from the ear will feel an ear fullness as if you are sitting underwater.
CSF leak from the ear diagnosis
The problem with CSF leak in the ear is that it is usually misdiagnosed and treated with medications that will not help to improve the hearing loss. To diagnose it, the doctor will test the ear drainage for a protein called beta-2 transferrin that is only present in CSF. Afterward, the doctor will ask for a CT scan or sometimes MRI scan. In some cases, the doctor will inject a radioactive medium in the spinal fluid and perform a CT scan to identify the location of the leakage.
Why choose to opt for repairing CSF leak from the ear in Iran?
First of all, Iran has some of the best surgeons in the world. Iranian doctors are well trained and quite experienced. The hospitals and the medical centers are provided with advanced equipment and all the medical devices that can be found in the most advanced hospitals in the world.
The prices also play a key role as the cost of the medical treatment in Iran is lower than a lot of other countries, so you can enjoy the best medical services without paying a fortune. And since CSF leak from the ear increases the risk of meningitis, you should have the proper treatment immediately and that is what some people cannot afford in places other than Iran, where Iran provides you with treatment without delay since there is any waiting lists in the country for such surgeries.
Repair of CSF leak from the ear in Iran with Dr. Saeedi
Dr. Masoumeh Saeedi is one of the best and most skilled ENT doctors in Iran. Over the past 12 years, Dr. Masoumeh Saeedi has performed more than 5,000 successful surgeries. She has also been attending a lot of specialized courses all over the world to have more experience.
Dr. Saeedi has been an associate professor of Otolaryngology at Baqiatallah University of Medical Sciences in Tehran since she was only 33 years old. Therefore, she has been acquainted with all of the new medical treatments. When you undergo the surgery for repairing CSF leak from the nose in Iran with Dr. Saeedi, you can rest assured that you will have the best possible treatment. Please send us a message through the Doctor’s social media channels or by filling the consultation form to have a free online thorough specialized consultation on the repair of CSF leak from the nose in Iran with Dr. Saeedi.
The Treatment of CSF leak from the ears
Depending on the case, the doctor might use certain medication to reduce the production of CSF. Your doctor might also try using conservative treatment if you had CSF leak due to an injury of recent surgery or after a head trauma. Conservative treatment involves resting home and laying in bed while your head is elevated.
Surgery is considered the best choice for patients who suffered from CSF leak from the ear after a certain surgery and did not get better on the conservative treatment and for those who suffered from spontaneous CSF leak from the ear.
How the surgery to repair CSF leak from the ear is performed?
There are several ways to perform the surgery depending on some factors. In Some cases, the surgeon will perform a stapedectomy and obliterate the oval window with soft tissues.
In other cases where the exact location of the drainage is unknown, the surgeon will need to perform a mastoidectomy to identify the drainage site. The surgeon might need a fat or a muscle graft to seal the perforation.
What to expect after the surgery?
Most often, the patient will be put in an ICU to be observed until he/she is in a good condition to leave the unit. Afterward, the patient should stay in the hospital for few days.
When the patient returns home, he/she must rest for a while and avoid any exhausting activity. This includes not lifting any heavy objects, avoiding sports, and even not blowing the nose. It might take up to six or seven weeks till the full recovery.
The risks and complications of the surgery to repair CSF leak from the ear
What you should know is that the risks you face when you choose not to get the surgery is much more than the risks of the surgery. Untreated CSF otorrhea can lead to meningitis, and the complications of the surgery is the same as any other surgery.
If you have the surgery, you might suffer from intracranial bleeding, infection, stroke and cerebral edema. However, the chances of having these side effects are very low.
Cost of the repair of CSF leak from the ear in Iran with Dr. Saeedi
Since this surgery is very delicate, it is considered costly in many countries, and the price of repairing the CSF leakage from the ear varies depending of the injury site and cause. However, the cost of the repair of CSF leak from the ear in Iran with Dr. Saeedi, even while considering the travel and accommodation expenses, is much more affordable than that in the countries that offer it with the same quality, where it costs in Iran about a quarter of its price in developed countries. Please contact us to have a free online consultation and quote on the repair of CSF leak from the ear in Iran with Dr. Saeedi.
Frequently asked questions about CSF leak from the ear
Can CSF leak from the ear?
Yes, it is possible for CSF to leak from ear, but it requires the presence of a perforation in the eardrum (Tympanic membrane) or a defected external ear. If the there are no perforation nor a defect in the external ear, the leakage will run through eustachian tube and might cause CSF leaking from the nose.
Can CSF leak cause ear pressure?
Yes, the increase of ear pressure is one of the symptoms of CSF otorrhea.