gms | German Medical Science

57th Annual Meeting of the German Society of Neurosurgery
Joint Meeting with the Japanese Neurosurgical Society

German Society of Neurosurgery (DGNC)

11 - 14 May, Essen

Pseudotumor cerebri – is it really idiopathic?

Pseudotumor cerebri – wirklich eine ideopathische Erkrankung?

Meeting Abstract

  • T. Niederstadt - Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster
  • corresponding author B. Fischer - Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster
  • C. Schul - Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster
  • W. Heindel - Institut für Klinische Radiologie, Universitätsklinikum Münster
  • H. Wassmann - Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurochirurgie, Universitätsklinikum Münster

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Japanische Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. 57. Jahrestagung der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie e.V. (DGNC), Joint Meeting mit der Japanischen Gesellschaft für Neurochirurgie. Essen, 11.-14.05.2006. Düsseldorf, Köln: German Medical Science; 2006. DocFR.04.07

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.egms.de/en/meetings/dgnc2006/06dgnc024.shtml

Published: May 8, 2006

© 2006 Niederstadt et al.
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Outline

Text

Objective: Elevated intracranial pressure without hydrocephalus or mass lesions, known as “pseudotumor cerebri” or “idiopathic intracranial hypertension” occurs predominantly in young and obese women. There exist different hypotheses with regard to the pathophysiology. Recently, sinus obstruction has been proposed as possible factor. In this prospective study we present anatomical data on the cerebral sinus of another 20 affected patients.

Methods: From 2/2003 to 11/2005 all patients admitted to our hospital for suspected pseudotumor cerebri were included in the study. All patients underwent MRI examination, including MR – venography. In addition three patients were examined with DSA including invasive pressure monitoring of the sinus.

Results: 20 Patients met the criteria (m/f ratio 1:3; age range 13-62, mean: 34 years). In 12 of the 20 patients (60%) stenosis of the sinus were found. Two patients (10%) presented with stenosis of the jugular veins.

Conclusions: The high number of patients with documented venous anomalies supports the hypothesis of an increased venous pressure as a possible cause of pseudotumor cerebri. Precise neuroradiological evaluation of the cerebral venous sinus and the jugular veins may help in identifying patients suitable for endovascular intervention.