Venous Sinus Stenting for Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Where Are We Now?

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension causes headache, papilledema and visual field loss, typically in obese women of childbearing age. Its anatomical underpinnings remain unclear, but a stenosis at the junction of the transverse and sigmoid sinuses has been recognized in the majority of patients through venography. The stenosis may result from intrinsic dural sinus anatomy or extrinsic compression by increased intracranial pressure, but in either case, its stenting has been shown to lead to an improvement in symptoms of intracranial hypertension and papilledema in multiple retrospective, non-controlled studies. Prospective, controlled trials are needed to confirm its efficacy and safety.