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

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.