Abstract

A 4-year-old tearing child with obstruction of the nasolacrimal duct was treated with dacryocystorhinostomy three years after naso-orbital injury. However, what appeared to be tearing persisted, and meningitis developed. Coronal CT scans demonstrated traumatic encephalocele of the posterior superior orbital roof. A chronic orbital cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak was diagnosed. To our knowledge no case of chronic CSF leak has been reported that simulated tearing in an otherwise asymptomatic child. In the tearing patient who has a naso-orbital fracture the possibility of chronic CSF leak should be considered.