Cerebrospinal fluid fistula as a complication of reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction collection for the detection of coronavirus disease 2019: illustrative cases.

Background: The most used method to detect coronavirus disease 2019 during the pandemic is reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction with nasal swab. Despite being highly effective, the test does not leave the patient risk-free and can lead to serious complications. These can be traumatic nasal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) fistula and its consequences, such as meningitis.