Otorhinolaryngologist Tatyana Kusakina has warned that watery nasal discharge commonly mistaken for a standard cold symptom could be a sign of a brain fluid leak, known medically as liquorrhea.
Speaking to news agency RIAMO, Kusakina explained that clear and liquid discharge from the nose, particularly when it increases upon tilting the head forward, can signal that cerebrospinal fluid is escaping from the skull.
Kusakina stated that liquorrhea is a pathological condition involving the leakage of cerebrospinal fluid. This fluid normally circulates within the ventricles of the brain as well as around the brain and spinal cord.
Otorhinolaryngology is the medical specialty focused on disorders of the ears, nose, and throat, often referred to as ENT. Cerebrospinal fluid is a clear, protective liquid produced in the brain that cushions the central nervous system against injury, removes waste products, and maintains stable pressure inside the skull.
Causes of skull base leakage
According to the specialist, cerebrospinal fluid can drain through fistulas, which are abnormal openings at the base of the skull. Kusakina noted that these holes can form as a result of head trauma, surgical procedures performed inside the nasal cavity or skull base, or they may develop spontaneously without any prior injury.
She added that bending the head forward or downward causes a brief increase in intracranial pressure. This temporary pressure spike forces an increased volume of cerebrospinal fluid out through any existing openings in the skull base.
The skull base forms the lower floor of the cranial cavity, separating the brain from the nasal passages, sinuses, and eye sockets. Intracranial pressure refers to the fluid pressure exerted inside the skull vault, which naturally fluctuates during physical movements, coughing, or postural changes.
Distinguishing liquorrhea from a common cold
Kusakina highlighted key physical differences between a typical cold symptom and a cerebrospinal fluid leak. She said that fluid from liquorrhea is consistently very watery and entirely transparent, containing no traces of mucus or pus.
In addition, patients experiencing a brain fluid leak often notice a distinctive taste. Kusakina noted that individuals may perceive a specific salty or sweetish flavor dripping down the back of their throat.
A conventional runny nose, or rhinitis, is usually caused by viral infection or allergies, leading to inflammation that produces thicker mucus. In contrast, cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea represents a direct breach of the barriers surrounding the brain, requiring specialized medical evaluation to prevent dangerous complications such as bacterial infections of the central nervous system.
Broader medical warnings
The warning follows earlier advice from neurologist Igor Matsokin regarding early warning signs of neurological decline. Matsokin previously explained that certain sleep disturbances can appear 10 to 15 years before a patient receives a formal diagnosis of dementia.
The comments were published by the Regional Information Agency of Moscow Region, known as RIAMO, an official news outlet covering health, public affairs, and regional developments across Russia.
