Non-traumatic cerebrospinal-fluid rhinorrhoea in cases of primary empty-sella syndrome.

Non-traumatic cerebrospinal-fluid rhinorrhoea is a rare condition. Its insidious onset may occur with a sneezing or coughing episode which may lead to an incorrect diagnosis of allergic rhinitis or vasomotor rhinorrhoea. Two cases that occurred in association with primary empty-sella syndrome are described--in the second case, the fistula arose from the pituitary fossa. The history, incidence, clinical profile, investigation and management of this condition are reviewed.