For four months, doctors believed one Arizona
woman's running nose was allergies. The truth turned out to be a much
more horrifying scenario – brain fluid was leaking out of her nose according to
Fox News.com.
According to the University of Arizona department of surgery, whenever Aundrea Aragon
bent over, clear liquid would run out of her nose.
"I was scared to death and desperate,'' Aragon said. "I knew it could not
be allergies. The fluid would come out like a puddle.''
After she visited several doctors', UA surgeons finally discovered two small
cracks in the back of Aragon's
sphenoid sinus, which were caused by cerebral pressure. The crack
ultimately allowed cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) to stream through her nose.
Although the human brain replaces brain fluid, the leak put Aragon at risk
of developing meningitis, in which bacteria crawls through the brain, causing
either a coma or death.
While the typical surgery to fix this condition is invasive and often
results in a painful recovery process and other dangerous side effects, UA surgeons
were able to fix Aragon's
condition without using any incisions. They performed an endoscopic
procedure through her nose, using image-guided neuronavigation and fluorescein
dye to locate the cracks. Then, using tissue from her nose and a small portion
of belly fat, the surgeons were able to repair the cracks, stopping the leak.
The process liberated Aragon
from a long, painful recovery. She is now recovering well at home with
her husband and two children. She recently posted about her ordeal on her
Facebook page.
"I am so grateful to [the UA surgeons] for everything
they have done for us,'' said Aragon.
"I had great care from a great staff. I'm here, and I am grateful I can
take care of my kids."
Fox News.com
