Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; immediate resolution of venous sinus "obstruction" after reducing cerebrospinal fluid pressure to<10cmH(2)O.
It has been postulated that cerebral venous outflow "obstruction" is a precipitating factor for many cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We describe a 17-year-old woman with IIH, and "venous obstruction" repeatedly demonstrated on magnetic resonance venography (MRV) that within minutes resolved partially when the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was reduced to 11 cmH(2)O and completely when the pressure was reduced to 8cmH(2)O. These findings further support the view that raised pressure is the cause of the "obstruction", rather than the obstruction being the primary cause of the IIH. It also raises questions about how low the CSF pressure should be reduced at therapeutic lumbar puncture.
Neuroscience Department, The Geelong Hospital, Barwon Health, PO Box 281, Geelong, Victoria 3220, Australia.
Shane Wei
SW
Lee
Peter
P
Gates
Peter
P
Morris
Andrew
A
Whan
Leisha
L
Riddington
D000293:Adolescent; D002533:Cerebral Angiography / Q000379:methods; D015170:Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*; D012851:Sinus Thrombosis, Intracranial / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*