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Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in a pediatric population: a retrospective analysis of the initial imaging

Shannon M Standridge1, Sarah H O'Brien

  • 1Division of Child Neurology, Ohio State University School of Medicine and Nationwide Children's Hospital, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Shannon.Standridge@cchmc.org

Journal of Child Neurology
|November 6, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Magnetic resonance venography is used to rule out cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in children with idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Few studies exist, and this study found no clinical differences between patients who did or did not undergo venography.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Neuroradiology

Background:

  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in children presents diagnostic challenges.
  • Cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST) is a potential complication of IIH.
  • Limited data exists on the utility of magnetic resonance venography (MRV) in pediatric IIH evaluations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare clinical characteristics of pediatric patients with presumed IIH based on MRV utilization.
  • To assess the incidence of CVST in children undergoing MRV for IIH.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with presumed IIH at a single children's hospital.
  • Analysis of clinical data and outcomes for patients who underwent MRV versus those who did not.
  • Review of MRV findings for the presence of CVST.

Main Results:

  • 66% (45/68) of pediatric patients with presumed IIH underwent MRV.
  • CVST was identified in 11% (5/45) of patients who had MRV.
  • No significant clinical differences were observed between patients who underwent MRV and those who did not, or between patients with and without CVST.

Conclusions:

  • MRV is frequently utilized in the evaluation of pediatric IIH, but its diagnostic yield for CVST is relatively low in this cohort.
  • Clinical factors did not significantly predict MRV use or CVST diagnosis in children with presumed IIH.
  • Further research is needed to establish risk factors for CVST and guide MRV decision-making in pediatric IIH.

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