Intravitreal Ranibizumab Injection in Peripapillary CNVM Related to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Vascular biology

Background:

• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition characterized by elevated intracranial pressure without a clear cause.
• Papilledema, a sign of IIH, can lead to secondary complications affecting vision.
• Peripapillary choroidal neovascular membrane (CNVM) is a rare but serious complication that can occur in the context of papilledema.

Observation:

• A case study involving a teenaged male patient diagnosed with papilledema secondary to IIH.
• The patient presented with visual disturbances attributed to the development of a peripapillary CNVM.
• Ophthalmic examination revealed characteristic signs of both papilledema and CNVM.

Findings:

• The patient received a single dose of intravitreal ranibizumab, a vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitor.
• Following the injection, the patient demonstrated a positive clinical response.
• Resolution or significant improvement of the peripapillary CNVM was observed post-treatment.

Implications:

• Intravitreal ranibizumab may be a viable therapeutic option for managing CNVM in the setting of IIH-related papilledema.
• This case highlights the potential benefit of anti-VEGF therapy in preventing vision loss associated with this specific complication.
• Further research is warranted to establish the efficacy and safety profile of ranibizumab in larger cohorts with IIH-associated CNVM.