The site of the leaks can be found by intrathecal injection of various stains followed by examination of appropriately placed pledgets. Treatment includes antibiotics, surgical closure using flaps, muscle, or fascial plugs. Posterior inferior bleeding is often from sphenopalatine vessels, and superior bleeding is often from anterior and posterior ethmoid vessels. A familial tendency. Airway obstruction improves with crying.
Unilateral atresia causes persistent nasal drainage and excoriation of the nasal vestibule.
Diagnosis is made by passing a flexible catheter through the anterior nares. The catheter should pass more than 32 mm. Atresia may be confirmed by CT scan. Treated initially with a McGovern's nipple followed by surgical correction. This is an extracranial herniation of the meninges and brain through a cranial defect, histologically identical to a nasal glioma.