Hi,

Question:

Is a metallic taste in the mouth necessarily a CSF leak or is it just associated with common head trauma and concussion and post concussion syndrome.


Background:

About 7-8 weeks ago I received a head injury in the side of a head (I walked into a corner of a rectangular solid pole at full speed whilst looking sideways). Its been a struggle since but I am regaining strength and coming back into myself. I also got a good dose of whiplash around the C1/C2 and C1/skull. I noticed shortly after the accident that there was a strong taste of blood in my mouth, a metallic taste. When I presented to ER I told the doctor about the metallic taste and he looked at me as if he had no clue. I also said I can feel draining in my sinuses, which have since resolved. My neurological test were fine and he did not refer me to a CT. I did have a CT about 1 week later that showed nothing. Apart from the pain at the site of impact, headaches, fatigue and the whiplash, I have been suffering a mix of vertigo conditions (cervical and BPPV), the vertigo, fatigue and headaches are getting less intense but still there and usually comes on in the afternoon with a metallic taste in my mouth. Now to me this is ticking the boxes of a CSF leak although no-one I have seen has mentioned it yet and I am a little worried. I do think my doctor is very competent but I recall he too was perplexed at the metallic taste in my mouth. After reading this forum I made the decision to not go back to work until I was ready, the risk is just too great. The rest seems to be working (well as much rest as you can get with a 9 month old kid), but sort of at crossroads and wondering about the CSF leak as I have recently been swimming in public pools.

Many thanks in advance for comments.