Transverse sinus stenoses persist after normalization of the CSF pressure in IIH

Neurology. 2005 Oct 11;65(7):1090-3. doi: 10.1212/01.wnl.0000178889.63571.e5.

Abstract

Background: Bilateral transverse sinus (TS) stenosis has been found in more than 90% of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

Objective: To evaluate whether TS stenosis changed after normalization of CSF pressure in patients with IIH during medical treatment.

Methods: Fourteen consecutive patients with IIH with bilateral TS stenosis on cerebral MR venography (MRV) during the medical treatment were studied. Patients were followed for over a 6-year period. During the follow-up, patients underwent repeated lumbar punctures (LPs) and cerebral MRV. MRV was always performed before each LP.

Results: TS stenosis persisted in all the patients during the follow-up. In 9 of 14 (64%) patients with IIH, CSF pressure normalized during medical treatment.

Conclusions: Transverse sinus (TS) stenoses, as revealed by MR venography, persist in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension after normalization of CSF pressure, suggesting the lack of a direct relationship between the caliber of TS and CSF pressure.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Acetazolamide / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid / physiology*
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / drug effects
  • Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / physiology*
  • Cranial Sinuses / pathology
  • Cranial Sinuses / physiopathology*
  • Diuretics / therapeutic use
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypertension / complications*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / drug therapy*
  • Intracranial Hypertension / physiopathology
  • Magnetic Resonance Angiography
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / etiology
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / pathology
  • Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / physiopathology
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Diuretics
  • Acetazolamide