Abstract: Objective To investigate the application of multi-slices spiral CT in the diagnosis of cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea. Methods 40 cases with cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea were examined with multi-slices spiral CT, and their coronal reconstruction images were analyzed. Results Single skull bone defect was found in 30 cases. The leakage positions were showed and consistent with the position of the skull defect in 28 cases. Multiple skull bone defects were found in 10 cases which showed more than 2 leaks. Leakage position was not showed in 2 cases, but the paranasal sinus cavity with high density fluid might suggest leakage location. The leakage positions were located in ethmoid sinus (28 cases), posterior wall of frontal sinus (9 cases), superior wall of sphenoid sinus (3 cases). Conclusion Multi-slices spiral CT is an effective examination to determine location of cerebrospinal fluid leak.

Key words: cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea, spiral CT, multiplanar volumetric reconstruction