Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 6, 2026

Adult Mouse Venous Hypertension Model: Common Carotid Artery to External Jugular Vein Anastomosis.
Published on: January 27, 2015
Intracranial hypertension in 2 children with marfan syndrome
Yvonne Hilhorst-Hofstee1, Lucia J M Kroft, Gerard Pals
1Center for Human and Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands. hilhorst@lumc.nl
Insights
Two children with Marfan syndrome experienced recurrent intracranial hypertension, a condition previously unreported in this genetic disorder. Symptoms like headache and nausea resolved after cerebrospinal fluid pressure was reduced via lumbar puncture.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Genetics
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Marfan syndrome is a genetic disorder affecting connective tissue.
- Intracranial hypotension has been previously associated with severe headaches in Marfan syndrome.
Observation:
- Two unrelated children with Marfan syndrome presented with recurrent intracranial hypertension.
- Symptoms included headache, nausea, vomiting, and papilledema in one child.
- Increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure was confirmed in both patients.
Findings:
- The children's symptoms resolved after lumbar puncture, indicating relief from elevated intracranial pressure.
- This is the first documented report of intracranial hypertension in patients with Marfan syndrome.
Implications:
- Highlights a novel neurological complication of Marfan syndrome.
- Suggests the need for monitoring intracranial pressure in Marfan syndrome patients presenting with relevant symptoms.
- Expands understanding of the diverse clinical manifestations of Marfan syndrome.
Abstract:
Two unrelated children with Marfan syndrome presented with recurrent intracranial hypertension. Both children complained of headache, nausea, and vomiting and one of them had papilledema. Both had increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure, and their complaints disappeared after lumbar puncture. Although severe headache has been reported in Marfan syndrome due to intracranial hypotension, this is to our knowledge the first report of intracranial hypertension in Marfan patients.
Related Concept Videos
Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Aneurysm I: Introduction
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology
Aneurysm II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
Hypertension II: Pathophysiology
