Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 21, 2026
06:09
Optic Nerve Sheath Point of Care Ultrasound: Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2023
Optic neuropathy associated with spontaneous intracranial hypotension
Basak Karakurum Goksel1, Tulin Yildirim, Selcuk Sizmaz
1Department of Neurology, Adana Teaching and Medical Research Center, Baskent University Medical School, Dadaloglu Mh. 39. Sk, 01250 Adana, Turkey. bkarakurum@hotmail.com
Acta Neurologica Belgica
|June 7, 2012
Summary
Spontaneous intracranial hypotension can cause visual loss by affecting the optic nerve. This case report details a rare instance of optic neuropathy linked to cerebrospinal fluid leakage.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) typically presents with postural headaches and associated symptoms.
- Ocular manifestations are common in SIH, but optic nerve involvement leading to visual impairment is rare.
Observation:
- A 34-year-old woman experienced postural headaches and left-eye visual loss.
- Orbital MRI showed abnormalities in the left optic nerve, including increased T2 signal intensity and pathological contrast enhancement.
- Radionuclide cisternography confirmed bilateral cerebrospinal fluid leakage in the thoracic region.
Findings:
- This case presents the first documented association between optic neuropathy and spontaneous intracranial hypotension.
- The findings suggest that optic nerve involvement can be a direct consequence of cerebrospinal fluid loss in SIH.
Implications:
- Highlights the importance of considering optic nerve evaluation in patients with SIH presenting with visual disturbances.
- Suggests a potential mechanism for visual impairment in SIH, involving direct optic nerve compromise.
- May prompt further research into the prevalence and management of optic neuropathy in spontaneous intracranial hypotension.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Glaucoma: Overview
Glaucoma is an eye condition characterized by increased intraocular pressure that damages the retina and optic nerve, leading to irreversible blindness if left untreated. The human eye has various components, including the cornea, iris, pupil, lens, and optic nerve. Aqueous humor is secreted by the epithelium of the ciliary body in the posterior chamber and flows through the trabecular meshwork and canal of Schlemm, maintaining normal intraocular pressure. The trabecular meshwork and the canal...
01:30Alterations in Blood Pressure
Alterations in blood pressure, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and hypotension (low blood pressure), significantly affect human health. Understanding these conditions' classifications, causes, and symptoms is essential for effective management and treatment.
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...
Hypertension (High blood pressure)
Hypertension occurs when blood pressure readings consistently exceed the normal range. It is diagnosed when systolic blood pressure (the top number, indicating pressure while the heart beats)...
01:27Diabetic Retinopathy
DefinitionDiabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes affecting the retinal blood vessels.Risk FactorsDiabetic retinopathy is present in almost all individuals with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes after two decades of disease.The risk increases with poor glycemic control, hypertension, dyslipidemia, smoking, pregnancy, and puberty.Although cataracts and glaucoma are also more frequent in people with diabetes, retinopathy remains the leading...
01:29Increased Intracranial Pressure ll: Pathophysiology
Increased intracranial pressure (ICP) refers to a potentially life-threatening rise in pressure inside the skull. This usually happens when there is a major change in the volume of brain tissue, blood, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) — the three components inside the skull. According to the Monro-Kellie doctrine, if the volume of one component increases, the volumes of the other components must decrease to maintain normal pressure. If this does not happen, ICP rises.The process often begins with...
01:27Open Angle Glaucoma: Treatment
In open-angle glaucoma, the iridocorneal angle remains open, but the trabecular meshwork becomes stiff, slowing down the outflow of aqueous humor. This causes a buildup of aqueous humor in the anterior chamber, leading to a sudden increase in intraocular pressure. The treatment for open-angle glaucoma focuses on reducing the elevated intraocular pressure by either decreasing the secretion of aqueous humor or increasing its outflow.
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
Drugs such as carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, α2- and...
01:14Increased Intracranial Pressure l: Introduction
Intracranial hypertension is a sustained elevation of intracranial pressure (ICP) above 22 mm Hg. In supine adults, normal ICP is ~7–15 mm Hg.The rigid, nonexpandable cranium contains three components—brain tissue, blood, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)—that total ~1,700 mL in a typical adult: 1,400 mL brain (~80%), 150 mL blood (~10%), and 150 mL CSF (~10%). According to the Monro–Kellie doctrine, total intracranial volume is effectively fixed. When one component expands, CSF and venous blood...