A report of CSF leak as a complication of nasal packing for epistaxis.

While nasal packs are effective in controlling epistaxis, some potential complications are associated with this procedure that physicians should be aware of and take measures to avoid. We report the case of an 80-year-old man who developed cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea several hours after he had undergone placement of nasal packing in an emergency department. He was eventually transferred to our facility, where he required a prolonged hospital stay to correct the complication. We also review the literature on various complications of nasal packing, and we emphasize the importance of carefulness when performing intranasal manipulation.