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Venous sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Abstract
Background
Stenting of the intracranial venous sinuses is used as a treatment in certain cases of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Interest in, and experience of, this technique is growing, particularly in recent years. We sought to provide an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of the use of venous stenting in these patients, examining clinical outcomes.
Methods
A literature search of venous stenting in IIH patients was performed. Using random-effects meta-analysis, we evaluated the following outcomes: clinical resolution of papilledema; headaches and pulsatile tinnitus; recurrence of symptoms after stenting; and complications.
Results
Twenty articles from 18 different centers were included. In a total of 474 patients. 418 were female (88%). The mean age of the patients was 35, while the mean body mass index (BMI) was 35 kg/m². Median follow-up was 18 months. The overall rate of improvement in papilloedema was 93.7% (95% CI 90.5% to 96.9%), while the overall rate of improvement or resolution of headache was 79.6% (95% CI 73.3% to 85.9%). Pulsatile tinnitus resolved in 90.3% (95% CI 83.8% to 96.70%), while the overall rate of recurrence of IIH symptoms after stenting was 9.8% (95% CI 6.7% to 13%). The rate of major complications was 1.9% (95% CI 0.07% to 3.1%).
Conclusions
Venous sinus stenting in patients with IIH who are refractory to medical therapy appears to have an excellent safety profile and is associated with significant improvements in headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, and papilledema.
... for IIH patients with venous sinus stenosis, showing a favorable safety profile [4,5]. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently report positive outcomes, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] and a recent matched control study [12] found stenting to be more effective and faster at resolving papilledema and symptoms than medical therapy. ...
... for IIH patients with venous sinus stenosis, showing a favorable safety profile [4,5]. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses consistently report positive outcomes, [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] and a recent matched control study [12] found stenting to be more effective and faster at resolving papilledema and symptoms than medical therapy. However, investigations focusing on factors influencing favourable clinical outcomes following stenting treatment are scarce. ...
... Intrinsic stenosis was defined by the presence of intraluminal lesions, such as subarachnoid granulations (characterized by a rounded endosinusal ap-pearance) and septations. In contrast, extrinsic stenosis was identified as long sinus stenosis without an endoluminal image, resulting from compression of the venous sinus by surrounding brain parenchyma [3,5,13,14]. ...
Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing favourable clinical outcomes in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients with venous sinus stenosis (VSS) who received stenting treatment.
Methods
In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed a total of 172 IIH patients with VSS treated with venous sinus stenting. Clinical outcomes were categorized as either “complete resolved” or “improved”. We employed multivariable logistic regression modeling to identify independent factors associated with the clinical outcomes. The predictive accuracy of the model was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.
Results
Out of the total cohort, 126 patients exhibited asymptomatic clinical outcomes, while 46 patients showed improved clinical outcomes. Patients with asymptomatic clinical outcomes demonstrated notably lower preoperative BMI (26.8 kg/m² versus 28.7 kg/m², P = 0.013). In multivariate analysis, preoperative BMI (odds ratio [OR] = 1.108, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.009–1.216) was an independent factor of complete resolution of the symptoms. In the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis, the identified cut-off BMI for the highest sensitivity (0.5) and specificity (0.754) was determined to be 29.3 kg/m².
Conclusion
Lower BMI may be associated with the complete resolution of symptoms in IIH patients with VSS who received venous sinus stenting treatment.
... Rates of clinical improvement were calculated for patients who presented with the signs or symptoms of interest and had adequate follow-up. 8 In a recent meta-analysis, Nicholson et al. 10 assessed 20 articles from 18 operative centers, providing data on a total of 474 patients. Again, the investigators found significant reductions in headache, papilledema, stenotic pressure gradient, and improvement in visual fields. ...
... The data seem to further suggest that IIH is also useful in the treatment of PT. For IIH-accompanied PT, the reviews conducted by Puffer et al. 7 and Teleb et al. 9 as well as the meta-analysis by Nicholson et al. 10 found good treatment outcomes for this type of PT. Among the cases reviewed by Puffer et al., 7 38 of 41 patients with IIH-associated PT had improvement or complete resolution of their PT, yielding a success rate of 93%. ...
... Among the cases reviewed by Puffer et al., 7 38 of 41 patients with IIH-associated PT had improvement or complete resolution of their PT, yielding a success rate of 93%. 7 Teleb et al. 9 found a success rate of 95%, with 29 of 33 patients experiencing alleviation of IIH-accompanied PT, whereas Nicholson et al. 10 found resolution of PT in 90% of cases. Although these reviews suggest that VSS is similarly effective in treating IIHaccompanied PT, PT status was included as a secondary outcome, limiting the robustness of the investigators' conclusions. ...
While many case series and meta-analyses have confirmed the effectiveness of venous sinus stenting (VSS) in treating idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and IIH-related pulsatile tinnitus, several issues remain unresolved. There's no consensus on who qualifies for VSS; a pressure gradient and failure of medical treatment are commonly cited requirements, though not universally. Tools like venous manometry, venography, and cerebral angiography are critical for assessing patients, but there's debate over which diagnostic imaging is best or most suitable. Additionally, the VSS procedure itself faces hurdles, including the selection and placement of stents. Post-procedure considerations such as balloon angioplasty and drug treatment exist, yet there's a lack of evidence to guide decisions afterward. VSS complications, though rare, include in-stent stenosis, bleeding, and subdural hematoma. The technique's learning curve, particularly in navigating venous anatomy, highlights the importance of accessible, high-quality training. Recurrence of symptoms, especially stent-adjacent stenosis, is problematic, and while restenting and cerebrospinal fluid-diverting procedures are available, criteria for when to re-treat are unclear. Despite these challenges, VSS is generally seen as a better option compared to traditional cerebrospinal fluid-diverting methods, offering solid clinical results, lower complication rates, and cost-effectiveness. More research is needed to improve VSS techniques and indications and to address its specific challenges.
... While several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have investigated post-TSS visual acuity, papilledema, symptomatology, complications, and IIH recurrence, none have examined visual field, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and pharmacotherapy outcomes. [8][9][10][11][12] This study aimed to determine the proportion of patients treated with TSS who could be weaned off ICP-lowering pharmacotherapy and to describe their detailed neuro-ophthalmic outcomes. ...
... This finding is consistent with previous systematic reviews and meta-analyses which demonstrated high rates of papilledema (86%-97%) and symptomatic improvement (overall 87%, headache 78%-83%, tinnitus 85%-95%) after venous sinus stenting. [8][9][10][11][12] None of our patients experienced major complications, developed in-stent thrombosis or restenosis, nor required subsequent surgical intervention for IIH. Meta-analyses of patients undergoing venous sinus stenting for IIH found that major and minor complications occur in less than 3% and 5% of cases, respectively, with a mortality rate of 0%. ...
... Meta-analyses of patients undergoing venous sinus stenting for IIH found that major and minor complications occur in less than 3% and 5% of cases, respectively, with a mortality rate of 0%. [8][9][10]12 Major complications of TSS include intracranial hemorrhage and stroke; minor complications include transient hearing loss, femoral pseudoaneurysm, retroperitoneal hematoma, urinary tract infection, and syncope. The rates of stent survival and stent-adjacent stenosis are estimated to be 84%-100% and 14%, respectively. ...
Background
Transverse sinus stenting (TSS) is an increasingly commonly used treatment for patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, detailed neuro-ophthalmic evidence on visual and pharmacotherapy outcomes after TSS is scarce and heterogeneous. This study aimed to describe the visual outcomes of patients undergoing TSS for IIH and to ascertain the proportion of patients who could be weaned off intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering medication after this procedure.
Methods
A retrospective chart review of all patients with IIH from two tertiary academic neuro-ophthalmology practices who underwent TSS between 2016 and 2022 was performed. Indications for stenting included failure of pharmacotherapy, intolerance of pharmacotherapy, and acute vision loss from severe papilledema. Data on demographics, symptoms, visual function, and TSS were collected. The paired Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare changes in visual acuity (VA) and visual field mean deviation (VFMD) between the baseline and most recent visits.
Results
Of 435 patients with IIH, 15 (13 women) met inclusion criteria. After TSS, ICP-lowering pharmacotherapy was discontinued in 10 patients and decreased in 4; one patient was not on ICP-lowering medication before TSS. All patients experienced resolution or improvement of symptoms (10 resolution, 4 improved, 1 asymptomatic before TSS) and papilledema (11 resolution, 4 improved) after stenting. Papilledema resolution was confirmed with optical coherence tomography-measured peripapillary nerve fibre layer thickness (median decrease 147 um, interquartile range 41.8 - 242.8, p<0.001). Change in VA between the baseline and most recent visit was not significant, but VFMD improved significantly after stenting (median increase 3.0, IQR 2.0 - 4.2, p<0.001). No patient developed transverse sinus restenosis nor in-stent thrombosis postoperatively across a median venogram follow-up of 20.8 weeks (11.3 - 49.8) and no patient required subsequent surgical intervention for IIH.
Conclusion
In this cohort of patients with IIH and fulminant presentation, medication resistance, or medication intolerance, TSS was an effective and safe treatment modality. Most patients were able to stop ICP-lowering medications while demonstrating striking improvement in symptomatology and visual function.
... Дедалі більше як нейрохірургічних, так і офтальмологічних настанов рекомендують розглянути стентування венозних синусів у пацієнтів з ІВГ [19][20][21][22][23][24][25], що підтверджено також даними метааналізів щодо низького рівня асоційованих ускладнень і високого технічного успіху. Так, частота зменшення набряку диска зорового нерва, головного болю та пульсуючого шуму у вухах становила 93,7 % (95 % довірчий інтервал (ДІ) -90,5-96,9 %), 79,6 % (95 % ДІ -73,3-85,9 %) і 90,3 % (95 % ДІ -83,8-96,70 %), відповідно [12,26]. Згідно із сучасними рекомендаціями слід розглянути стентування венозного синуса у відіб раних пацієнтів з ІВГ і стенозом венозного синуса за даними нейровізуалізації та підвищеним градієнтом тиску в ділянці стенозу (≥8 мм рт. ...
Objective ‒ to analyse the results of cerebral angiography and venography with venous manometry in patients with medically refractory sdiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and venous sinus stenosis.Materials and methods. Informed consent was obtained from each patient (parent or guardian) enrolled in the study and the study protocol conforms to the ethical guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki as reflected in a priori approval by the Institutional Ethical Review Board (Institution's Human Research Committee). A retrospective analysis of the clinical and neuroimaging features of 9 patients with suspected IIH was performed. All patinets were treated at the SO «Scientific-Practical Center of Endovascular Neuroradiology NAMS of Ukraine» from January 2022 to January 2024. The criteria for inclusion in the study were: clinical symptoms of IIH without any other intracranial pathology according to imaging, lumbar pressure >20 cm H2O, and symptoms refractory to medication treatment (optic disc edema, pulsatile tinnitus, etc.). Pressure gradients in contiguous sites were calculated for each patient in standard anatomical sites (superior sagittal sinus ‒ sinus drain, sinus drain ‒ transverse sinus, transverse sinus ‒ sigmoid sinus, sigmoid sinus ‒ internal jugular vein). The adjacent anatomical gradients were defined as the difference between the mean venous sinus pressure measurements in the venous sinuses where the manometry was performed. Pathological pressure gradients in the venous sinuses were defined as pressure gradients >8 mm Hg based on established guidelines. Results. Out of the 9 patients with suspected IIH treated at the clinic, 2 patients were excluded. One female with combination of thrombosis in posterior third of superior sagittal sinus with left transverse sinus stenosis, the second (male) with bilateral jugular vein occlusions. Of the 7 patients (4 women and 3 men) with a mean age of 39.7 years, 4 (57.1 %) had pressure gradients >8 mm Hg (transverse sine ‒ sigmoidal sine) and underwent sinus stenting. All procedures were successful. After stent implantation, control manometry was performed, which showed the gradient decreasing to 0‒2 mm Hg at the level of stenosis. The control examination after stenting was performed in all patients and showed regression of general cerebral symptoms, as well as varying degrees of ocular improvement. Conclusions. Our study evaluated the degree of pressure reduction in the anatomical sites of the cerebral venous system and showed a progressive decrease in pressure from the sigmoid sinus to the jugular vein. The venous sinus stenting leads to elimination of the pressure gradient, as well as neurological and ophthalmic improvement in carefully selected patients with refractory to conservative therapy IIH with a transstenotic pressure gradient >8 mm Hg.
... Venous sinus stenting (VSS) has emerged as a safe and effective treatment for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) refractory to medical treatment. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] VSS is preceded by venous manometry to measure the venous sinus pressure and to calculate the pressure gradient across the stenosis to assess the patient's candidacy for stenting. The stenting procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia to ensure patient immobilization, pain management, and airway protection, but venous manometry should be performed while patients are awake as pressure measurements and gradients are markedly affected by general anesthesia. ...
Background
Venous sinus stenting (VSS) is an increasingly performed procedure for the treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) refractory to medical treatment. VSS is typically performed under general anesthesia.
Objective
To present our experience of VSS in patients with IIH performed under conscious sedation.
Methods
Retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database of all patients with IIH who underwent VSS in a single center between September 2019 and January 2024. The sedation protocol consisted of a remifentanil-based target-controlled infusion. Patients’ clinical and radiological data, dosage of anesthesia, procedural characteristics, and outcomes were collected.
Results
Twenty-six patients with IIH underwent venous manometry (VM) and VSS under awake sedation and were included in our study. Patients were predominantly women (24/26) with a median age (IQR) of 33 (13) years. The median (IQR) body mass index was 34 (10) kg/m ² . There was no need for general anesthesia conversion. Technical success was achieved in all patients. Median (IQR) follow-up after stenting was 7 (2) months. All patients reported resolution of the pulsatile tinnitus; headaches regressed in 20/24 (83.3%) patients and papilledema improved in 16/20 (80%). Only one non-neurological complication (retroperitoneal hematoma) occurred, without any permanent morbidity or mortality.
Conclusion
Our study confirms that performing VM and VSS under conscious sedation is safe and feasible. Conscious sedation is a viable alternative to general anesthesia for managing IIH in these patients.
... satile tinnitus rates in patients with IIH treated with VSS were93.7%, 79.6%, and 90.3%, respectively.170 Considering the absence of correlation of the severity of stenosis with hemodynamics, CSF open pressure, and clinical presentation, it is crucial to determine the pressure gradient between the proximal and distal ends of the stenosis by intravenous angiography before conducting sinus stent placement surgery. ...
Background
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) mainly affects obese young women, causing elevated intracranial pressure, headaches, and papilledema, risking vision loss and severe headaches. Despite weight loss as the primary treatment, the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Recent research explores novel therapeutic targets.
Aims
This review aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of IIH's pathophysiology and clinical features to inform pathogenesis and improve treatment strategies.
Methods
Recent publications on IIH were searched and summarized using PubMed, Web of Science, and MEDLINE.
Results
The review highlights potential pathomechanisms and therapeutic advances in IIH.
Conclusion
IIH incidence is rising, with growing evidence linking it to metabolic and hormonal disturbances. Early diagnosis and treatment remain challenging.
... Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is often related to an underlying vascular abnormality, significantly affecting the patient's quality of life. 1 Cerebral venous stenosis-induced PT has gained increasing recognition, with venous sinus stenting (VSS) emerging as an effective treatment option for symptom relief. 2 Transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) is a commonly observed vascular abnormality in patients with PT. 3 The previous studies have highlighted the high diagnostic performance of both computed tomography venography (CTV) and magnetic resonance venography for anatomical analysis of venous sinuses. 4 The choice of modality generally depends on availability, although comparisons between modalities have been rarely assessed. ...
Venous sinus stenosis is commonly observed in patients presenting with pulsatile tinnitus (PT). While magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and computed tomography (CT) are commonly used for assessing venous sinus geometries, the preferred modality remains unclear. In this study, we reconstructed the three-dimensional (3D) geometries of the venous sinus using MRI and CT imaging data from 20 PT patients. We conducted comparisons of the anatomical features of the venous sinus through case-wise analysis and anatomic geometrical parameter-wise analysis. Our findings indicate that by taking the geometries from CT as a reference, MRI could provide a better illustration of venous structure, primarily due to a stronger flow signal concentrated in the vascular tree. We observed high agreements in anatomic parameters measured from 3D geometries reconstructed based on CT and MRI in 19 out of 20 cases. Notably, the cross-sectional area of the sinus and segment length displayed the highest consistency, with a mean difference of -5.01% and 6.5% between modalities, respectively. In addition, we noticed that 55% of cases exhibited consistency in analyzing the confluence of the sinus, while variants of connectivity and collateral branching were observed between CT and MRI. Importantly, CT-based geometric reconstruction provided better detail of inflow side branches in the straight sinus, whereas MRI preserved more side branches of outflow in the downstream sinus. It is important to note that CT-based evaluation may be affected by the bone structures surrounding the venous sinus, whereas MRI-based evaluation focuses on blood flow to the segments, potentially indicating both anatomical and functional abnormalities.
... However, in our case, ICH was suspected due to bilateral transverse sinus stenosis (one with thrombosis, the other with hypoplasia), accompanying symptoms, and radiological signs. Currently, MCs are not considered a strong diagnostic criterion for ICH, even in the case of transverse sinus thrombosis [53][54][55][56][57]. Nonetheless, in our case, anticoagulant treatment for transverse sinus thrombosis was preferred in place of LP or ventricular drainage, following a pathophysiological approach guided by the suspicion of ICH being determined by insufficient venous return [52]. ...
Background: Spontaneous orbital cephaloceles are a rare condition. The purpose of this study is to provide a description of a clinical case and to carry out a systematic literature review. Methods: A systematic review of the English literature published on the Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted, according to the PRISMA recommendations. Results: A 6-year-old patient was admitted for right otomastoiditis and thrombosis of the sigmoid and transverse sinuses, as well as the proximal portion of the internal jugular vein. Radiological examinations revealed a left orbital mass (22 × 14 mm) compatible with asymptomatic orbital meningocele (MC) herniated from the superior orbital fissure (SOF). The child underwent a right mastoidectomy. After the development of symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension (ICH), endovascular thrombectomy and transverse sinus stenting were performed, with improvement of the clinical conditions and reduction of the orbital MC. The systematic literature review encompassed 29 publications on 43 patients with spontaneous orbital MC. In the majority of cases, surgery was the preferred treatment. Conclusions: The present case report and systematic review highlight the importance of ICH investigation and a pathophysiological-oriented treatment approach. The experiences described in the literature are limited, making the collection of additional data paramount.
... This review includes all original trials conducted to date that focus on VSS as a treatment modality for IIH. The current literature has two systematic review and meta-analysis studies investigating VSS for IIH, the first one by Satti et al. 2015 [4] which investigated CSF diversion procedures and VSS in medically refractory IIH, while the most recent meta-analysis on this topic was conducted by Nicholson et al. 2018 [5]. Since then, numerous trials have been published, contributing new insights into the efficacy and safety of VSS for IIH. ...
Background
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure and primarily affects obese women of reproductive age. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) is a surgical procedure used to treat IIH, but its safety and efficacy are still controversial.
Methods
A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following PRISMA guidelines. Multiple databases were searched for studies evaluating the safety and efficacy of VSS in IIH patients and meta-analysis was performed to pool the data.
Results
A total of 36 studies involving 1066 patients who underwent VSS were included. After VSS, a significant reduction in trans-stenotic gradient pressure was observed. Patients also showed significantly lower cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure. Clinical outcomes demonstrated improvement in tinnitus (95%), papilledema (89%), visual disturbances (88%), and headache (79%). However, 13.7% of patients experienced treatment failure or complications. The treatment failure rate was 8.35%, characterized by worsening symptoms and recurrence of IIH. The complications rate was 5.35%, including subdural hemorrhage, urinary tract infection, stent thrombus formation, and others.
Conclusion
VSS appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for IIH patients who are unresponsive to medical therapy or have significant visual symptoms. However, long-term outcomes and safety of the procedure require further investigation.
... IIH is associated with stenosis of the transverse-sigmoid junction, inducing local pressure gradients [7,[9][10][11]. Sinus stenting is thus increasingly promoted as an escalation step, using an invasive therapy for IIH patients with severe visual impairment, despite lacking evidence from randomized controlled trials [12]. ...
Purpose
To quantify the effects of CSF pressure alterations on intracranial venous morphology and hemodynamics in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) and assess reversibility when the underlying cause is resolved.
Methods
We prospectively examined venous volume, intracranial venous blood flow and velocity, including optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) as a noninvasive surrogate of CSF pressure changes in 11 patients with IIH, 11 age-matched and sex-matched healthy controls and 9 SIH patients, before and after neurosurgical closure of spinal dural leaks. We applied multiparametric MRI including 4D flow MRI, time-of-flight (TOF) and T2-weighted half-Fourier acquisition single-shot turbo-spin echo (HASTE).
Results
Sinus volume overlapped between groups at baseline but decreased after treatment of intracranial hypotension (p = 0.067) along with a significant increase of ONSD (p = 0.003). Blood flow in the middle and dorsal superior sagittal sinus was remarkably lower in patients with higher CSF pressure (i.e., IIH versus controls and SIH after CSF leak closure) but blood flow velocity was comparable cross-sectionally between groups and longitudinally in SIH.
Conclusion
We were able to demonstrate the interaction of CSF pressure, venous volumetry, venous hemodynamics and ONSD using multiparametric brain MRI. Closure of CSF leaks in SIH patients resulted in symptoms suggestive of increased intracranial pressure and caused a subsequent decrease of intracranial venous volume and of blood flow within the superior sagittal sinus while ONSD increased. In contrast, blood flow parameters from 4D flow MRI did not discriminate IIH, SIH and controls as hemodynamics at baseline overlapped at most vessel cross-sections.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), formerly known as pseudotumor cerebri, is a neurological condition in which intracranial pressures are elevated in the absence of an underlying mass lesion or dilated ventricular system and manifested by progressive headaches, papilledema, vision loss, and occasionally pulsatile tinnitus. Several types of treatments have been utilized, including medical management with carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and surgical management with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) diversion; however, venous sinus stenting has been performed increasingly over the past decade for treatment in patients found to have a venous sinus stenosis along with IIH symptoms. Venous sinus stenting has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for these patients, and its application will likely continue to grow as a primary treatment for those patients with venous sinus stenosis and IIH symptoms.
Background
Endovascular stenting is a promising treatment for patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and venous sinus stenosis (VSS). However, data on the impact of stenosis type on clinical outcomes of patients undergoing stenting treatment remain limited. This prospective cohort study aimed to compare post-stenting outcomes in patients with IIH and intrinsic versus extrinsic VSS.
Methods
Patients with IIH and VSS undergoing stenting at a tertiary hospital in China were enrolled consecutively from 2017 to 2023. Based on digital subtraction angiography, high-resolution MRI, and intravascular ultrasound findings, patients were categorized into two groups: intrinsic or extrinsic stenosis. At 6 months post-stenting, clinical outcomes including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, headache, visual impairment, and papilledema were recorded. Multivariable regression models were used to explore the relationship between stenosis type and clinical outcomes.
Results
In total, 92 patients were included, 60 with intrinsic stenosis and 32 with extrinsic stenosis. At 6 months, the intrinsic group had lower CSF pressure (median 180 vs 210 mmH 2 O, β coefficient −31.8, 95% CI −54.0 to −9.6) and a higher rate of complete symptom resolution (81.7% vs 40.6%, OR 8.88, 95% CI 2.60 to 30.30) than the extrinsic group. Additionally, 36.8% (95% CI 10.5% to 77.2%) of the effect of stenosis type on complete symptom resolution at 6 months was mediated through reduction in CSF pressure.
Conclusion
This single-center study suggested that patients with IIH and intrinsic VSS had lower CSF pressure and better symptom recovery compared with those with extrinsic VSS at 6 months post-stenting. Further validation in other centers and populations is needed.
Trial registration number
ChiCTR.org.cn, ChiCTR-ONN-17010421.
Background
The River stent is the first stent specifically designed for intracranial venous sinuses. We report the 1-year results of the River trial, performed to obtain Humanitarian Device Exemption approval of the River stent in the United States (US).
Methods
The River trial was a prospective, open-label, multicenter, single-arm trial which enrolled 39 subjects at 5 US centers. Eligible patients had clinical diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with severe headaches or visual field loss and had failed medical therapy. The primary safety endpoint was the 1-year rate of major adverse events compared with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting using historical controls. The primary benefit endpoint was a composite at 1 year of clinical improvement and absence of venous sinus stenosis. Secondary endpoints included improvement in pulsatile tinnitus, visual symptoms, quality of life (QOL) scores, and medications.
Results
All procedures were technically successful. There was one serious adverse event, a gastrointestinal hemorrhage observed 2 months after the procedure while the patient was still on dual antiplatelet therapy. The primary safety endpoint was met with a rate of major adverse event of 5.4% versus 51.7% for CSF shunts. The primary benefit endpoint was achieved in 60% of trial participants. Additional improvements were also observed in opening CSF pressure, headaches, papilledema, pulsatile tinnitus, visual symptoms, and QOL scores. Post hoc analysis demonstrated that subjects with minimal or absent papilledema at baseline showed similar improvement compared with subjects with papilledema at baseline, in terms of headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, and QOL.
Conclusions
The River study 1- year results establish safety and suggest efficacy for venous sinus stenting in IIH subjects who have failed medical therapy.
Background
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is strongly associated with spontaneous skull-base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) has proven effective for the treatment of IIH. Hence, its role in spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks is being explored actively.
Methods
We performed a systematic literature search across EMBASE, MEDLINE, Scopus, The Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar to identify studies reporting the use of VSS for spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks. Studies with pediatric patients, non-English articles, and nonspontaneous leaks were excluded. Failure of treatment (persistence / recurrence of CSF leak) was regarded as the primary outcome.
Results
Eight studies with 62 patients undergoing VSS for spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks were included. Mean age of the patients was 51.9 years; 87.5% were females. Obesity was highly prevalent, with a mean body mass index of 33.9 kg/m ² (4 studies). IIH was noted in 74.6% patients (7 studies). Twenty-six patients (41.9%) underwent VSS alone whereas 36 patients (58.1%) underwent surgical repair + VSS. Seven patients (11.3%) had a failure of treatment. Three failures from one study could not be definitively ascribed to either of the groups. Hence, the estimated failure rate for VSS alone ranged from 18.6% (95% CI [0.02 – 0.46]) to 26.4% (95% CI [0.11 – 0.46]), whereas that for surgical repair + VSS ranged from 5.5% (95% CI [0.00 – 0.16]) to 12.2% (95% CI [0.01 – 0.32]). Furthermore, the estimated rate for resolution of concomitant IIH-related symptoms was 88.7% (95% CI [0.75 – 0.98%]). Majority of the studies did not report any serious complications or mortality related to VSS.
Conclusion
VSS has a potential role in the management of spontaneous skull-base CSF leaks. Its exact indications as a standalone treatment versus as an adjuvant to surgical repair, and the predictors for successful treatment remain to be defined.
Objectives
This study aimed to identify factors at baseline associated with visual outcomes of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) with venous sinus stenosis who underwent venous sinus stenting.
Methods
The study eyes were divided into two groups according to mean deviation (MD) at 6-month post-stenting follow-up: MD better than −2.0 dB (the favorable visual outcome group) and equal to −2.0 or worse (the poorer visual outcome group). Variables at baseline between the two groups were compared. A multivariable logistic regression model was performed to identify the factors at baseline associated with poorer MD outcomes at 6 months.
Results
The poorer recovery group had a lower incidence of tinnitus (5.9% vs 27.5%, P=0.015), worse initial best corrected visual acuity (0.22 vs 0, in logMAR, P=0.000), worse preoperative MD (−8.64 vs −3.05, P=0.000) and higher trans-stenotic gradient pressure (19.5 vs 16, P=0.002) and total cranial gradient pressure (TCGP) (25.75 vs 18, P=0.000), lower ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness (90.5 vs 99, P=0.005), higher focal loss volume percentage (2.35 vs 0.84, P=0.002) and global loss volume percentage (4.87 vs 1.8, P=0.012) of GCC. Multivariate analysis showed that worse preoperative MD and higher TCGP (OR 45.61, 95% CI 5.21 to 399.48; P=0.001 and OR 8.45, 95% CI 1.60 to 44.67; P=0.012, respectively) were associated with an increased risk of poorer MD outcomes at the 6-month follow-up.
Conclusion
This study found that worse preoperative MD and higher TCGP at baseline may be associated with poorer visual outcomes after stenting treatment.
The vascular system regulates brain clearance through arterial blood flow and lymphatic drainage of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), characterized by elevated intracranial pressure and dural venous sinus stenoses, can be treated by restoring venous blood flow via venous stenting, suggesting a role for venous blood flow in brain fluid clearance. Using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in IIH patients and healthy controls, we identified that dural venous stenoses in IIH were associated with impaired lymphatic drainage, perivenous fluid retention, and brain fluid accumulation. To investigate this further, we developed a mouse model with bilateral jugular vein ligation (JVL), which recapitulated key human findings, including intracranial hypertension, calvarial lymphatic regression, and brain swelling due to impaired clearance. To further dissect the respective roles of meningeal lymphatic vessels and venous blood flow in brain clearance, we performed JVL in mice with lymphatic depletion. These mice exhibited spontaneous elevated intracranial pressure, but JVL did not further exacerbate this effect. Moreover, the synchronous restoration of brain clearance and meningeal lymphatics observed in mice after JVL was absent in lymphatic-deficient mice.Transcriptomic analyses revealed that lymphatic remodeling induced by JVL was driven by VEGF-C signaling between dural mesenchymal and lymphatic endothelial cells. These findings establish the dural venous sinuses as a critical platform where venous blood flow interacts with mesenchymal cells to preserve meningeal lymphatic integrity and function, essential for brain fluid clearance.
Neuroimaging is a paramount element for the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, a condition characterized by signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure without the identification of a mass or hydrocephalus being recognized. The primary purpose of this review is to deliver an overview of the spectrum and the specific role of the various imaging findings associated with the condition while providing imaging examples and educational concepts. Clinical perspectives and insights into the disease, including treatment options, will also be discussed.
Introduction Chronic cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can erode the skull base and cause CSF leaks, necessitating surgical repair or other interventions. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) may restore normal CSF reabsorption and flow, reducing elevated pressures and warranting further investigation as a treatment for IIH-related CSF leaks.
Methods We retrospectively reviewed charts of IIH patients who underwent VSS for CSF leak repair, analyzing clinical presentation, imaging, treatment, and follow-up. A systematic review of PubMed and Embase was conducted, with continuous variables reported as medians and interquartile ranges (IQRs).
Results We included two institutional cases and seven cases from the systematic review. Median age was 51 years (35–53), with eight female and six obese patients. Among six patients with prior confirmed IIH, four of five treated with acetazolamide were refractory. All presented with CSF rhinorrhea, six had a history of leaks, and four were recurrences. Seven had bony dehiscence. All had bilateral venous stenosis with a pressure gradient of 6 mmHg (3–8.25) and underwent unilateral VSS, with one patient also undergoing angioplasty. Over a 12-month follow-up (11–27), leaks resolved in all patients but one within 3 months (0.875–3). Four had recurrences by 7.15 months (4.8–9); one resolved spontaneously, another after angioplasty, and two required ventriculoperitoneal shunting. One patient underwent additional dural grafting for new sphenoid dehiscence, achieving resolution.
Conclusion VSS can be an effective initial treatment for IIH-related CSF leaks; but if VSS does not adequately address underlying intracranial pressures, additional medical and surgical interventions are warranted to prevent recurrent leaks.
Background: Endovascular treatment of dural venous sinus stenosis using auto-expandable stents is progressively becoming a central part in the management of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and pulsatile tinnitus. One potential concern during stenting is impairment of venous outflow in the Labbé vein, which usually drains in close proximity to the culprit transverse sinus stenosis. Methods: We propose a technique which can counteract venous outflow impairment, consisting of temporary balloon protection of the Labbé vein during stent deployment. Results: We illustrate the use of this technique in a case of IIH with intrinsic dural sinus stenosis induced by a large arachnoid granulation situated close to the insertion of the Labbé vein. The stent was deployed under temporary balloon inflation in order to deflect the arachnoid granulation away from the vein ostium. Conclusions: In selected cases of intrinsic stenosis, temporary balloon protection can be used to avoid Labbé vein flow impairment during venous sinus stenting.
Background Elevated intracranial pressure can cause skull base defects and a spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) has emerged as a promising treatment option for patients with a CSF leak in the setting of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). There is a lack of literature on symptomatology and quality of life (QOL) after VSS for IIH patients with a CSF leak. This study explores the effects of VSS on symptoms and QOL in IIH patients with a CSF leak.
Methods This is a retrospective study on patients who have IIH complicated by a CSF leak and underwent VSS. A QOL questionnaire was developed from the migraine disability assessment test and the PROMIS-PI was given to patients included in this study.
Results A total of 10 patients were included in this study. Nine patients underwent endoscopic closure of CSF prior to stent placement and one patient was treated with VSS only. There was no evidence of CSF leak recurrence in this population following VSS. Headaches improved in 5/8, tinnitus in 5/6, and visual disturbance in 4/5 patients. Diamox was discontinued in seven out of eight patients after VSS. There was an improvement in headache-specific questions (p = 0.0140) and overall QOL (p = 0.0061) on the QOL questionnaire.
Discussion This preliminary study demonstrates that VSS is effective in alleviating many symptoms in IIH patients with a CSF leak, especially headaches. Diamox may be able to be discontinued in many patients following VSS. No CSF leak recurrence was noted in this patient population.
Background
Venous sinus stenting (VSS) is a safe and effective treatment strategy for pulsatile tinnitus (PT) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Although complications are rare, the morbidity associated with the complications is high. Navigating through the venous sinuses poses unique challenges to the interventionalist. There is limited literature regarding device selection to maximize safety and efficiency. We report on the safety and advantages of using a balloon guide catheter (BGC) for venous access in VSS.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of all patients undergoing VSS using a BGC over a three-month period.
Results
A total of 22 patients were included in the analysis (median age 35; 21 female). The indication for treatment was PT in 10 patients and IIH in 12 patients. The BGC was navigated into the sigmoid and transverse sinuses, enabling successful delivery of the stent in all cases. The BGC balloon was inflated 23 times for navigating past tortuosity or obstructions, and for anchoring. There were no intraprocedural complications.
Conclusions
The use of BGC in VSS is safe and feasible. BGCs have features that can be utilized to overcome the unique challenges encountered during VSS.
Background
Vein of Galen malformations are congenital arteriovenous malformations primarily treated by endovascular embolization via transarterial or transvenous approaches. transvenous embolization can be utilized to close the malformation but may be difficult in patients with venous stenosis or blockages, which drive venous hypertension and lead to significant neurologic consequences. Here, we illustrate the atypical placement of an intracranial venous sinus stent to improve outflow after transvenous embolization in pediatric patients with the vein of Galen malformation.
Methods
A retrospective review of clinical databases at two high-volume endovascular centers from January 2018 to March 2023 identified all vein of Galen malformation patients who received a venous sinus stent during transvenous embolization. Clinical data, imaging, angioarchitecture, operative details, postoperative management, and follow-up were reviewed.
Results
Three patients presented for transvenous embolization after multiple staged transarterial embolizations of their vein of Galen malformation. Transvenous access was complicated by lateral sinus stenosis, which was temporarily relieved by balloon angioplasty. After transvenous embolization by pressure cooker technique, the dural sinuses were stented using the existing venous guide catheter. Venous angiography demonstrated improved flow across the stenosed areas and post-embolization angiography demonstrated normalized venous drainage with widely patent stents. One patient experienced postoperative oculomotor nerve palsy unrelated to the stent placement. All patients demonstrated a complete cure of their vein of Galen malformations with patent venous sinus stents on follow-up.
Conclusion
In patients with the vein of Galen malformation and venous hypertension receiving transvenous embolization, venous sinus stenting may be a safe and effective option to reduce aberrant cortical venous drainage and improve normal outflow. Further studies are warranted to investigate its benefit in high-flow vascular malformations.
Background
The pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and other cerebral venous outflow disorders (CVD) has largely been unexplored. While a correlation between venous sinus pressure and opening pressure (OP) has been previously noted, there are limited data on this relationship in patients with prior venous sinus stenting (VSS).
Methods
A single center retrospective chart review was conducted on CVD patients who underwent diagnostic cerebral venography with manometry followed immediately by lateral decubitus lumbar puncture, from 2016 to 2024.
Results
206 patients underwent 216 total procedures and were included. Among all patients, there was a moderate nearly one-to-one correlation between OP and torcular or superior sagittal sinus (SSS) pressures. Thirty-two patients underwent testing after having undergone VSS. Patients with previous VSS showed a significantly altered relationship between venous pressures and OP, whereby as venous sinus pressures increased, OP increased more gradually in previously stented patients compared with non-stented patients. For example, when OP was fixed at 21 mm Hg and body mass index at 30 kg/m ² , predicted mean SSS pressure was 19.47 mm Hg in non-stented patients versus 16.91 mm Hg in stented patients.
Conclusion
This study confirmed a strong relationship between OP and venous sinus pressure in CVD patients. However, patients with previous VSS demonstrated an altered relationship with higher CSF pressures relative to venous pressures compared with naïve patients. This finding may have important clinical implications in the management of IIH patients.
Background
Venous sinus stenting (VSS) has been shown to reduce intracranial venous pressures and improve symptoms in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, long-term follow-up data are limited, raising concerns about sustained symptom improvement. We aimed to assess long-term outcomes of VSS compared with ventriculoperitoneal shunting (VPS).
Methods
A retrospective case-control study assessed 87 patients with IIH who met inclusion criteria and underwent either VSS (n=27) or VPS (n=60) between 2017 and 2022. Descriptive statistics for baseline characteristics and outcomes were calculated, followed by multivariate logistic regression to identify factors associated with headache recurrence.
Results
Baseline characteristics were similar between VSS and VPS groups, including age (p=0.58), sex (p=0.74), body mass index (p=0.47), and preoperative lumbar puncture opening pressure (p=0.62). Preoperative symptoms of headaches (p=0.42), papilledema (p=0.35), and pulsatile tinnitus (p=0.56) were also similar. Initial headache improvement was comparable (96% vs 91%, p=0.42). However, headache recurrence was less common in the VSS group (31% vs 60%, p=0.015) at the last follow-up, averaging over 1 year. Multivariate analysis showed VSS was independently associated with reduced odds of headache recurrence (OR 0.24, p=0.015). Longer follow-up was associated with increased odds of headache recurrence in both groups (OR 1.01, p=0.032).
Conclusion
VSS was independently associated with reduced odds of headache recurrence compared with VPS in multivariate analysis. Longer follow-up was significantly associated with headache recurrence in both groups. This suggests that VSS may lead to better outcomes for continued headache relief, but headache recurrence may increase with longer follow-up regardless of treatment modality.
In spite of expanding research, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and its spectrum conditions remain challenging to treat. The failure to develop effective treatment strategies is largely due to poor agreement on a coherent disease pathogenesis model. Herein we provide a hypothesis of a unifying model centered around the internal jugular veins (IJV) to explain the development of IIH, which contends the following: (1) the IJV are prone to both physiological and pathological compression throughout their course, including compression near C1 and the styloid process, dynamic muscular/carotid compression from C3 to C6, and lymphatic compression; (2) severe dynamic IJV stenosis with developments of large cervical gradients is common in IIH-spectrum patients and significantly impacts intracranial venous and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressures; (3) pre-existing IJV stenosis may be exacerbated by infectious/inflammatory etiologies that induce retromandibular cervical lymphatic hypertrophy; (4) extra-jugular venous collaterals dilate with chronic use but are insufficient resulting in impaired aggregate cerebral venous outflow; (5) poor IJV outflow initiates, or in conjunction with other factors, contributes to intracranial venous hypertension and congestion leading to higher CSF pressures and intracranial pressure (ICP); (6) glymphatic congestion occurs but is insufficient to compensate and this pathway becomes overwhelmed; and (7) elevated intracranial CSF pressures triggers extramural venous sinus stenosis in susceptible individuals that amplifies ICP elevation producing severe clinical manifestations. Future studies must focus on establishing norms for dynamic cerebral venous outflow and IJV physiology in the absence of disease so that we may better understand and define the diseased state.
Background
Venous sinus stenosis can be associated with cerebrovascular disorders. Understanding the role of blood flow disturbances in these disorders is often hampered by the lack of patient-specific flow rates. Our goal was to demonstrate the impact of this by predicting individual flow rates retrospectively from routine manometry and angiography.
Methods
Ten cases, spanning a range of stenosis severities and pressure gradients, were selected from a cohort of patients who had undergone venous stenting for pulsatile tinnitus. Lumen geometries were digitally segmented from CT venograms. A simplified Bernoulli formula was derived to estimate individual cycle-average flow rates from clinical pressure gradients and minimum lumen cross-section areas. High-fidelity pulsatile computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations were performed to compare predictions of flow disturbances using generic versus individual flow rates, and to validate the Bernoulli formula.
Results
Individual flow rates derived from the Bernoulli formula deviated by up to 47% from the assumed generic flow rate, resulting in substantial differences in CFD predictions of post-stenotic flow instabilities. Pressure gradients estimated by the simplified Bernoulli formula were, however, highly predictive of pressure gradients from the full CFD simulations (R ² =0.95; slope=0.98, 95% CI 0.88 to 1.09).
Conclusions
A simple Bernoulli formula can predict CFD-estimated trans-stenotic pressure gradients in realistic venous geometries. As demonstrated here, this may be used to recover individual flow rates from routine-but-invasive clinical measurements; however, it also suggests a simpler path towards non-invasive estimation of trans-stenotic pressure gradients that may avoid some of the challenges associated with 4D flow MRI approaches.
Dural venous sinus stenting is an emerging and exciting area in otolaryngology in collaboration with neurosurgeons and neuroradiologists. The first cases were reported 20 years ago. It is now considered part of the routine treatment of increased intracranial pressure due to transverse sinus stenosis. ENT doctors are the first to see these patients in their clinics, as sinus headaches, pulsating tinnitus, and dizziness are the most common symptoms. Previously, with limited success, high-dose diuretics and intracranial shunts had been the only options for treating these patients. Other methods, such as covering the sigmoid sinuses with graft material, appear to cause a sudden increase in intracranial pressure that can lead to blindness and even death. This overview summarizes the clinical and imaging characteristics of patients who will benefit from endovascular sinus stenting for elevated intracranial pressure.
Purpose of Review
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) typically affects women of childbearing age, is associated with recent weight gain, and can result in debilitating headache as well as papilledema that can cause vision loss. There have been advances in the medical and surgical treatment of affected patients with IIH that can improve outcomes and tolerability of therapy.
Recent Findings
Medical treatment with agents that lower intracranial pressure through pathways other than carbonic anhydrase inhibition are being developed, and medically-directed weight loss as well as bariatric surgery now may be considered as primary therapy. New surgical options including venous sinus stenting have shown efficacy even with cases of severe vision loss.
Summary
Our treatment options for IIH patients are becoming more diverse, and individualized treatment decisions are now possible to address specific components of the patient’s disease manifestations and to lead to IIH remission.
Background
Internal jugular vein (IJV) stenosis has recently been recognized as a plausible source of symptom etiology in patients with cerebral venous outflow disorders (CVD). Diagnosis and determining surgical candidacy remains difficult due to a poor understanding of IJV physiology and positional symptom exacerbation often reported by these patients.
Methods
A retrospective single-center chart review was conducted on adult patients who underwent diagnostic cerebral venography with rotational IJ venography from 2022 to 2024. Patients were divided into three groups for further analysis based on symptoms and diagnostic criteria: presumed jugular stenosis, near-healthy venous outflow, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Results
Eighty-nine patients were included in the study. Most commonly, ipsilateral rotation resulted in ipsilateral IJV stenosis and gradient development at C4–6 and contralateral stenosis and gradient appearance in the contralateral IJV at C1, with stenosis and gradient development in bilateral IJVs at C1–3 bilaterally during chin flexion. In all patients, 93.3% developed at least moderate dynamic stenosis of at least one IJV, more than two-thirds (69.7%) developed either severe or occlusive stenosis during rightward and leftward rotation, and 81.8% developed severe or occlusive stenosis with head flexion. Dynamic gradients of at least 4 mmHg were seen in 68.5% of patients, with gradients of at least 8 mmHg in 31.5% and at least 10 mmHg in 12.4%.
Conclusion
This study is the first to document dynamic changes in IJV caliber and gradients in different head positions, offering insights into the complex nature of venous outflow and its impact on CVD.
Background
Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) can be a disabling clinical condition, which may be caused by a sigmoid/transverse sinus stenosis (STSS). Intracranial venous stenting with off-label carotid or peripheral venous stents has been used successfully to treat this condition. We present the results of a cohort of patients presenting with PT treated with a novel, dedicated, braided stent for the endovascular treatment of STSS.
Methods
Twelve patients presenting with PT and associated STSS were treated at our institution (December 2022–June 2023). All clinical and procedural variables were prospectively collected. We used the Tinnitus Function Index (TFI) and the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) scores to assess the impact of PT on quality of life before and after the treatment (mean follow-up: 10.3 months).
Results
Twelve women (mean age: 44±16.5 years) presenting with PT and STSS were treated. Mean pretreatment TFI/THI scores were 78.8/77. The BosStent was successfully deployed in all patients. We experienced no intraprocedural/postoperative complications. Intra-stent angioplasty was performed in three cases. All patients reported a complete resolution of PT symptoms within 1 month and remained stable and PT-free at the last follow-up (mean posttreatment TFI/THI score: 7.1/5, p<0001).
Conclusions
The BosStent was successfully used in a cohort of patients with PT without any intraprocedural complications. All the patients experienced a complete resolution of PT symptoms after 1 month, which was stable during the follow-up period. Further studies with larger populations will be necessary to investigate the safety and effectiveness of this novel stent for the treatment of PT with STSS.
Background
Transverse sinus stenting (TSS) is an increasingly common treatment for patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, detailed neuro-ophthalmic evidence on visual and pharmacotherapy outcomes after TSS is scarce and heterogeneous. This study aimed to describe the visual outcomes of patients undergoing TSS for IIH and to ascertain the proportion of patients who could be weaned off intracranial pressure (ICP)-lowering medication postoperatively.
Methods
A retrospective chart review of all patients with IIH from 2 tertiary academic neuro-ophthalmology practices who underwent TSS between 2016 and 2022 was performed. Indications for stenting included failure of pharmacotherapy, intolerance of pharmacotherapy, and acute vision loss from severe papilledema. Data on demographics, symptoms, visual function, pharmacotherapy, and TSS were collected. The paired Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to compare changes in visual acuity (VA) and visual field mean deviation (VFMD) between the baseline and most recent visits.
Results
Of the 435 patients with IIH, 15 (13 women) met inclusion criteria. After TSS, ICP-lowering pharmacotherapy was discontinued in 10 patients and decreased in 4; 1 patient was not on ICP-lowering medication before TSS. All patients experienced resolution or improvement of symptoms (10 resolution, 4 improved, 1 asymptomatic before TSS) and papilledema (11 resolution, 4 improved) after stenting. Papilledema resolution was confirmed with optical coherence tomography–measured peripapillary nerve fiber layer thickness (median decrease 147 µm, interquartile range 41.8–242.8 µm, P < 0.001). Change in VA between the baseline and most recent visit was not significant, but VFMD improved significantly after stenting (median increase 3.0, IQR 2.0–4.2, P < 0.001). No patient developed transverse sinus restenosis nor in-stent thrombosis postoperatively across a median venogram follow-up of 20.8 (11.3–49.8) weeks. In addition, no patient required subsequent surgical intervention for IIH.
Conclusions
In this cohort of patients with IIH and fulminant presentation, medication resistance, or medication intolerance, TSS was an effective and safe treatment modality. Most patients were able to stop ICP-lowering medications while demonstrating striking improvement in symptomatology and visual function.
Background
Venous sinus stenting (VSS) is recognized as a safe and effective intervention for medically-refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However, its long-term efficacy remains uncertain.
Methods
This retrospective review analyzed a single-center database of adult patients with severe, medically-refractory IIH, who underwent VSS and had minimum 3-month follow-up (FU). Patients were divided into three groups based on post-stenting symptom trajectories: group 1 (sustained improvement without relapse), group 2 (temporary improvement with relapse), and group 3 (no improvement).
Results
Of 178 patients undergoing VSS, the majority were female (94%), with a median opening pressure (OP) of 31 cm H 2 O and trans-stenosis gradient of 14 mm Hg. Of these, 153 (86%) received transverse sinus (TS) stenting, and 19 (11%) underwent concurrent TS and superior sagittal sinus stenting. At a mean FU of 166 days, 53 patients (30%) showed long-term improvement without relapse (group 1). Symptomatic recurrence was noted in 101 patients (57%; group 2) within a mean FU of 390 days. Despite recurrent headache and tinnitus, the average OP reduction was 9.6 cm H 2 O on repeat lumbar puncture, with 75% showing papilledema improvement or resolution post-VSS. Only 17% required further surgical intervention.
Conclusions
The most common clinical outcome post-VSS in IIH patients is initial symptomatic improvement followed by symptom recurrence in about 60% at a mean of 274 days, despite a consistent intracranial pressure reduction. These findings can guide physicians in setting realistic expectations with patients regarding VSS outcomes.
Background
Pulsatile tinnitus (PT) is a rare form of tinnitus that aligns with the heartbeat. It is typically brought on by lesions with significant vascularity, which produce aberrant sound conduction and increase the risk of mental health issues and hearing loss. Venous PT is more prevalent than arterial PT. Open procedures or interventional procedures can be used to treat PT. We present here a case of PT caused by venous luminal stenosis combined with jugular bulb (JB) malformation, which was improved by stenting and JB embolization.
Case presentation
A 59-year-old woman presented with long-term tinnitus consistent with heart rhythm and hearing loss, accompanied by anxiety, insomnia, and depression. The results of brain MRV, CT, and DSA showed stenosis of the right sigmoid sinus and high jugular bulb (JB) with dehiscence of the JB wall. The patient saw a significant improvement in PT symptoms following sigmoid sinus stenting and spring coil embolization of the high JB, following the diagnosis of PT. The patient had no PT recurrence for the course of the 31-month follow-up period.
Conclusion
In the present PT case, there was a simultaneous onset of the right sigmoid sinus stenosis and the high JB with the JB wall abnormalities. Sigmoid sinus stenting and spring coil embolization of high JB may be a treatment for the PT, but the prevention of post-stenting complications is still an issue that requires great attention and needs further study.
Background
Bilateral transverse venous sinus stenosis (TVSS) or stenosis of a dominant venous sinus has been found to be very sensitive radiological findings in patients with intracranial hypertension (IH), yet there is still an ongoing debate whether they constitute reversible or permanent phenomena. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the reversibility of TVSS in patients with IH, including conservatively treated patients with signs of IH as defined by the presence of papilledema.
Methods
This was a retrospective chart review of all patients diagnosed with IH between 2016 and 2022, assessed from 2 tertiary university-affiliated neuro-ophthalmology practices. Inclusion criteria were the presence of papilledema, as quantified by optical coherence tomography, and bilateral TVSS, which is considered typical of IH on neuroimaging. During follow-up, included patients must have had confirmation of papilledema resolution as well as subsequent neuroimaging after conservative treatment or cerebrospinal fluid flow diversion. Patients with dural sinus vein thrombosis or intrinsic stenosis from sinus trabeculations or significant arachnoid granulations were excluded from the study. Either CT venography or MRI/MR venography was reviewed by a fellowship-trained neuroradiologist, and the degree of stenosis was scored through the combined conduit score (CCS), as described by Farb et al. The primary outcome was to assess TVSS changes after resolution or improvement of papilledema.
Results
From 435 patients, we identified a subset of 10 who satisfied all inclusion criteria. Our cohort comprised entirely women with a median age of 29.5 years and a median BMI of 32.5 kg/m ² . Treatment consisted of acetazolamide in 7 patients, of which 1 had additional topiramate and 2 underwent cerebrospinal fluid flow diversion. Furthermore, 6 patients demonstrated significant weight loss during follow-up. For the primary outcome, 5 of 10 patients exhibited no appreciable TVSS change, and 5 patients demonstrated significant improvement in TVSS, of which 4 received conservative treatment only. Papilledema resolution or improvement was statistically significantly associated with increasing average CCS, TVSS diameter, and grade.
Conclusions
We were able to demonstrate that TVSS can be both irreversible and reversible in patients with resolved papilledema. The finding of TVSS reversibility from conservative treatment alone is novel and has important implications to optimize patient care. Future studies should work to identify factors associated with irreversible TVSS for subsequent targeted intervention and prevention.
Venous neuroendovascular procedures include venography, venous test occlusion, venous sampling, transvenous embolization, venous thrombolysis and thrombectomy, and venous stenting. The Appendix discusses new procedures for nonvascular disorders that use transvenous access.
This chapter covers the gamut of intracranial venous issues, ranging from the most common entity—developmental venous anomalies—to the nonexistent: “chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency.”
Stroke is a leading cause of paralysis, most frequently affecting the upper limbs and vocal folds. Despite recent advances in care, stroke recovery invariably reaches a plateau, after which there are permanent neurological impairments. Implantable brain-computer interface devices offer the potential to bypass permanent neurological lesions. They function by (1) recording neural activity, (2) decoding the neural signal occurring in response to volitional motor intentions, and (3) generating digital control signals that may be used to control external devices. While brain-computer interface technology has the potential to revolutionize neurological care, clinical translation has been limited. Endovascular arrays present a novel form of minimally invasive brain-computer interface devices that have been deployed in human subjects during early feasibility studies. This article provides an overview of endovascular brain-computer interface devices and critically evaluates the patient with stroke as an implant candidate. Future opportunities are mapped, along with the challenges arising when decoding neural activity following infarction. Limitations arise when considering intracerebral hemorrhage and motor cortex lesions; however, future directions are outlined that aim to address these challenges.
Traumatic brain injury is often associated with a direct or secondary neurovascular pathology. In this review, we present recent advancements in endovascular neurosurgery that enable accurate and effective vessel reconstruction with emphasis on its role in early diagnosis, the expanding use of flow diversion in pseudoaneurysms, and traumatic arteriovenous fistulas. In addition, future directions in which catheter-based interventions could potentially affect traumatic brain injury are described: targeting blood brain barrier integrity using the advantages of intra-arterial drug delivery of blood brain barrier stabilizers to prevent secondary brain edema, exploring the impact of endovascular venous access as a means to modulate venous outflow in an attempt to reduce intracranial pressure and augment brain perfusion, applying selective intra-arterial hypothermia as a neuroprotection method mitigating some of the risks conferred by systemic cooling, trans-vessel wall delivery of regenerative therapy agents, and shifting attention using multimodal neuromonitoring to post-traumatic vasospasm to further characterize the role it plays in secondary brain injury. Thus, we believe that the potential of endovascular tools can be expanded because they enable access to the “highways” governing perfusion and flow and call for further research focused on exploring these routes because it may contribute to novel endovascular approaches currently used for treating injured vessels, harnessing them for treatment of the injured brain.
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES
Although venous sinus stenting (VSS) improves cerebrospinal fluid reabsorption and decreases intracranial pressure in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), the underlying pathophysiology of IIH is not well understood. We present a review and meta-analysis of the literature on VSS for IIH treatment, focusing on the rates of restenosis and symptom recurrence.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review of PubMed and Embase databases between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2021. Articles including ≥5 patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis treated with VSS and post-treatment rates of restenosis (de novo stenosis at a different anatomic location along the dural sinuses or restenosis within or adjacent to the stent) were selected. Demographic, procedural, and outcomes data were collected and analyzed. Mean values for variables collected were pooled, and a mean value was calculated with a 95% CI.
RESULTS
Twenty-four articles were included, comprising 694 patients and 781 VSS cases. The mean age was 33.9 (CI, 31.5-36.2) years. The mean body mass index was 35.3 (CI, 32.9-37.7) kg/m ² . Before VSS, 98.8% (CI, 96.8%-100.0%) of patients experienced headaches, 87.7% (CI, 80.6%-95.5%) had visual acuity issues, 78.7% (CI, 69.9%-88.5%) had papilledema, 58.3% (CI, 46.0%-73.9%) had tinnitus, and 98.8% (96.4%-100.0%) had symptoms refractory to previous therapies. After VSS, 77.7% (CI, 71.1%-84.95%) experienced symptom improvement and 22.3% (CI, 15.1%-29.0%) had persistent or worsened symptoms. Pooled restenosis rate was 17.7% (CI, 14.9%-20.9%).
CONCLUSION
VSS is effective in alleviating IIH signs and symptoms, but the associated high rates of restenosis and persistent symptoms highlight the need for further investigation of this procedure and other adjunctive treatments for IIH.
Introduction
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can result in headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, papilledema, and other neurological symptoms. Weight loss can alleviate some symptoms of IIH. This study aims to investigate the effect of venous sinus stenting on post-operative weight and body mass index (BMI) changes among IIH patients. The secondary objective is to investigate the relationship between post-operative weight changes and papilledema resolution.
Methods
Patients with papilledema undergoing venous sinus stenting for IIH were retrospectively reviewed from two comprehensive North American cerebrovascular centers. Patient demographics, surgical course, post-operative outcomes, and weight were analyzed. A systematic review and meta-analysis of post-operative weight in stented IIH patients was conducted.
Results
Twenty-eight patients with a diagnosis of IIH and papilledema who underwent venous sinus stenting were identified across two institutions. Patients had a mean pre-operative weight of 103.2 kg, which decreased to 101.5 kg at 3-month follow up ( p = 0.0757). Patients at 6-month follow-up saw a weight decrease to 97.4 kg ( p = 0.0066). Patients who saw papilledema resolution saw a mean greater decrease in weight (−4.5%) at 6-month follow up than those whose papilledema did not resolve (−1.7%), although this was insignificant ( p = 0.1091). A total of 41 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Patients had an average of 1.1 increase in BMI at 3-month follow up.
Conclusions
This study shows that venous sinus stenting leads to modest weight reduction in IIH patients, and those with resolved papilledema experience slightly greater weight loss. Further research is necessary to determine the clinical significance of these findings.
Despite recent advancements in the field of neuro-ophthalmology, the rising rates of neurological and ophthalmological conditions, mismatches between supply and demand of clinicians, and an aging population underscore the urgent need to explore new therapeutic approaches within the field. Glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs), traditionally used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, are becoming increasingly appreciated for their diverse applications. Recently, GLP-1RAs have been approved for the treatment of obesity and recognized for their cardioprotective effects. Emerging evidence indicates some GLP-1RAs can cross the blood-brain barrier and may have neuroprotective effects. Therefore, this article aims to review the literature on the neurologic and neuro-ophthalmic role of glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). This article describes GLP-1 peptide characteristics and the mechanisms mediating its known role in increasing insulin, decreasing glucagon, delaying gastric emptying, and promoting satiety. This article identifies the sources and targets of GLP-1 in the brain and review the mechanisms which mediate its neuroprotective effects, as well as implications for Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Furthermore, the preclinical works which unravel the effects of GLP-1 in ocular dynamics and the preclinical literature regarding GLP-1RA use in the management of several neuro-ophthalmic conditions, including diabetic retinopathy (DR), glaucoma, and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are discussed.
PurposeIdiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure in the absence of any known causative factor. Sinus stenosis is common in these patients. Stenting of stenotic dural sinuses has gained popularity as a treatment option, since these stenoses may contribute to an obstruction of the venous return, and, thereby may contribute to IIH via an increase in venous sinus pressure. We evaluated the safety and efficacy of endovascular treatment in IIH with venous sinus stenosis. Methods
Fifty-one patients with IIH underwent stenting. Median age was 40 years. Clinical manifestation was headache in 74.5% of the patients and visual obscurations in 78.5%. Papilledema was present in 50/51 patients (98%), and lumbar puncture documented elevated CSF opening pressure in all but one patient (98%). Sinus stenoses were observed in all patients. ResultsEndovascular treatment was successfully performed in all patients. There were no major complications encountered (i.e., live threatening or causing a deterioration of a patient’s condition equivalent to mRS 3–6). Improvement or resolution of papilledema was observed in 88% of the patients, and 84% reported improvement or resolution of the headache. Follow-up angiographies were performed in 48 patients at a median interval of 49 months and demonstrated in stent-stenosis or a de novo stenosis in 12 patients, eight of them needed re-treatment. Conclusion
Venous sinus stenting is a safe and effective alternative to other invasive treatments (e.g., optic nerve sheath fenestration, CSF diversion) in patients with IIH. The majority of patients have a persistent clinical benefit.
Introduction New physiopathological concepts regarding idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) recommend the endovascular treatment in refractory patients with transverse sinus stenosis.
Objectives To assess the role of the transverse sinus stenting treatment in the symptomatology of patients with IIH.
Method Clinically refractory patients with impaired venous drainage of the transverse sinus were submitted to cerebral angiographies. Patients with pre and post-stenotic pressure gradients > 8 mmHg were submitted to endovascular treatment.
Results Seven patients underwent cerebral angiography with manometry. Stenting was performed in six cases after pressure gradient assessment. All cases showed improvements in headache and resolution of papilledema.
Discussion and Conclusion Although the role of endovascular therapy should be further studied, our data suggest it may improve the clinical symptoms and signs of IIH in selected patients.
Resumo
Introdução Novos conceitos fisiopatológicos a respeito da hipertensão intracraniana idiopática (HII) propõem, em casos refratários, o tratamento endovascular em pacientes com estenose no seio transverso.
Objetivos Avaliar o efeito do tratamento endovascular, realizado pela implantação de um stent no seio transverso, em pacientes com HII.
Método Pacientes refratários clinicamente com alterações da drenagem venosa no seio transverso foram submetidos a angiografia cerebral. Diante de gradientes pressóricos pré e pós-estenóticos maiores do que 8 mmHg, foi feito o tratamento endovascular.
Resultados Sete pacientes realizaram angiografia cerebral com manometria. A colocação de stent foi realizada em seis após avaliação do gradiente pressórico. Todos apresentaram melhora da cefaleia, com resolução do papiledema.
Discussão e Conclusão Apesar de o papel do tratamento endovascular para HII necessitar de mais estudos, nossos dados sugerem que ele pode melhorar sinais e sintomas relacionados à HII em pacientes selecionados.
Background
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a syndrome defined by elevated intracranial hypertension without radiographic evidence of a mass lesion in the brain. Dural venous sinus stenosis has been increasingly recognized as a treatable cause, and dural venous sinus stenting (DVSS) is increasingly performed.
Methods
A 5 year single-center retrospective analysis of consecutive patients undergoing DVSS for medically refractory IIH.
Results
There were 43 patients with a mean imaging follow-up of 6.5 months and a mean clinical follow-up period of 13.5 months. DVSS was performed as the first procedure for medically refractory IIH in 81.4% of patients, whereas 18.6% of patients included had previously had a surgical procedure (ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt or optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF)). Headache was present in all patients and after DVSS improved or remained stable in 69.2% and 30.8%, respectively. Visual acuity changes and visual field changes were present in 88.4% and 37.2% of patients, respectively. Visual field improved or remained unchanged in 92%, but worsened in 8% after stenting. There was a stent patency rate of 81.8%, with an 18.2% re-stenosis rate. Of the 43 procedures performed, there was a 100% technical success rate with zero major or minor complications.
Conclusion
Based on this single-center retrospective analysis, DVSS can be performed with high technical success and low complication rates. A majority of patients presented primarily with headache, and these patients had excellent symptom relief with DVSS alone. Patients presenting with visual symptoms had lower success rates, and this population, if stented, should be carefully followed for progression of symptoms.
OBJECTIVE
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) may cause blindness due to elevated intracranial pressure (ICP). Venous sinus stenosis has been identified in select patients, leading to stenting as a potential treatment, but its effects on global ICP have not been completely defined. The purpose of this pilot study was to assess the effects of venous sinus stenting on ICP in a small group of patients with IIH.
METHODS
Ten patients for whom medical therapy had failed were prospectively followed. Ophthalmological examinations were assessed, and patients with venous sinus stenosis on MR angiography proceeded to catheter angiography, venography with assessment of pressure gradient, and ICP monitoring. Patients with elevated ICP measurements and an elevated pressure gradient across the stenosis were treated with stent placement.
RESULTS
All patients had elevated venous pressure (mean 39.5 ± 14.9 mm Hg), an elevated gradient across the venous sinus stenosis (30.0 ± 13.2 mm Hg), and elevated ICP (42.2 ± 15.9 mm Hg). Following stent placement, all patients had resolution of the stenosis and gradient (1 ± 1 mm Hg). The ICP values showed an immediate decrease (to a mean of 17.0 ± 8.3 mm Hg), and further decreased overnight (to a mean of 8 ± 4.2 mm Hg). All patients had subjective and objective improvement, and all but one improved during follow-up (median 23.4 months; range 15.7–31.6 months). Two patients developed stent-adjacent stenosis; retreatment abolished the stenosis and gradient in both cases. Patients presenting with papilledema had resolution on follow-up funduscopic imaging and optical coherence tomography (OCT) and improvement on visual field testing. Patients presenting with optic atrophy had optic nerve thinning on follow-up OCT, but improved visual fields.
CONCLUSIONS
For selected patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis with an elevated pressure gradient and elevated ICP, venous sinus stenting results in resolution of the venous pressure gradient, reduction in ICP, and functional, neurological, and ophthalmological improvement. As patients are at risk for stent-adjacent stenosis, further follow-up is necessary to determine long-term outcomes and gain an understanding of venous sinus stenosis as a primary or secondary pathological process behind elevated ICP.
Objective
Evaluate the role of venous sinus stenting in the treatment of pulsatile tinnitus among patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) and significant venous sinus stenosis.
Subjects and Methods
A written informed consent approved by the Weill Cornell institutional review board was signed and obtained from the study participants. Thirty-seven consecutive patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis who were treated with venous sinus stenting between Jan.2012-Jan.2016 were prospectively evaluated. Patients without pulsatile tinnitus were excluded. Tinnitus severity was categorized based on “Tinnitus Handicap Inventory” (THI) at pre-stent, day-0, 1-month, 3-month, 6-month, 12-month, 18-month and 2-year follow-up. Demographics, body-mass index (BMI), pre and post VSS trans-stenotic pressure gradient were documented. Statistical analysis performed using Pearson’s correlation, Chi-square analysis and Fischer’s exact test.
Results
29 patients with a mean age of 29.5±8.5 years M:F = 1:28. Median (mean) THI pre and post stenting were: 4 (3.7) and 1 (1) respectively. Median time of tinnitus resolution post VSS was 0-days. There was significant improvement of THI (Δ Mean: 2.7 THI [95% CI: 2.3–3.1 THI], p<0.001) and transverse-distal sigmoid sinus gradient (Δ Mean: -15.3 mm Hg [95% CI: 12.7–18 mm Hg], p<0.001) post-stenting. Mean follow-up duration of 26.4±9.8 months (3–44 months). VSS was feasible in 100% patients with no procedural complications. Three-patients (10%) had recurrent sinus stenosis and tinnitus at mean follow-up of 12 months (6–30 months).
Conclusion
Venous sinus stenting is an effective treatment for pulsatile tinnitus in patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis.
Materials and methods:
A retrospective study was performed to identify IIH patients with dural sinus stenosis treated with DVSS. Outcome measures included dural sinus pressure gradients, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness using optical coherence tomography, and improvement in symptoms.
Results:
Seventeen patients underwent DVSS. Average pre- and post-intervention pressure gradients were 23.06 mmHg and 1.18 mmHg, respectively (p<0.0001). Sixteen (94%) noted improvement in headache, fourteen (82%) had visual improvement, and all (100%) patients had improved main symptom. Of 11 patients with optical coherence tomography, eight showed decreased RNFL thickness and three remained stable; furthermore, these eleven patients had improved vision with improved papilledema in eight, lack of per-existing papilledema in two, and stable, mild edema in one patient.
Conclusions:
Our series of patients with dural sinus stenosis demonstrated improvement in vision and reduction in retinal nerve fiber layer thickness. DVSS appears to be a useful treatment for IIH patients with dural sinus stenosis.
In medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension, optic nerve sheath fenestration or CSF shunting is considered the next line of management. Venous sinus stenosis has been increasingly recognized as a treatable cause of elevated intracranial pressure in a subset of patients. In this article, we present the results of the largest meta-analysis of optic nerve sheath fenestration, CSF shunting, and dural venous sinus stenting. This is the only article that compares these procedures, to our knowledge.
We performed a PubMed search of all peer-reviewed articles from 1988 to 2014 for patients who underwent a procedure for medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Optic nerve sheath fenestration analysis included 712 patients. Postprocedure, there was improvement of vision in 59%, headache in 44%, and papilledema in 80%; 14.8% of patients required a repeat procedure with major and minor complication rates of 1.5% and 16.4%, respectively. The CSF diversion procedure analysis included 435 patients. Postprocedure, there was improvement of vision in 54%, headache in 80%, and papilledema in 70%; 43% of patients required at least 1 additional surgery. The major and minor complication rates were 7.6% and 32.9%, respectively. The dural venous sinus stenting analysis included 136 patients. After intervention, there was improvement of vision in 78%, headache in 83%, and papilledema in 97% of patients. The major and minor complication rates were 2.9% and 4.4%, respectively. Fourteen additional procedures were performed with a repeat procedure rate of 10.3%. Three patients had contralateral stent placement, while 8 had ipsilateral stent placement within or adjacent to the original stent. Only 3 patients required conversion to CSF diversion or 2.2% of patients with stents.
Patients with medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension have traditionally undergone a CSF diversion procedure as the first intervention. This paradigm may need to be re-examined, given the high technical and clinical success and low complication rates with dural venous sinus stenting.
© 2015 American Society of Neuroradiology.
Transverse sinus stenosis is common in patients with IIH. While the role of transverse sinus stenosis in IIH pathogenesis remains controversial, modeling studies suggest that stent placement within a transverse sinus stenosis with a significant pressure gradient should decrease cerebral venous pressure, improve CSF resorption in the venous system, and thereby reduce intracranial (CSF) pressure, improving the symptoms of IIH and reducing papilledema. We aimed to determine if IIH could be reliably treated by stent placement in transverse sinus stenosis.
We reviewed the clinical, venographic, and intracranial pressure data before and after stent placement in transverse sinus stenosis in 52 of our own patients with IIH unresponsive to maximum acceptable medical treatment, treated since 2001 and followed between 2 months and 9 years.
Before stent placement, the mean superior sagittal sinus pressure was 34 mm Hg (462 mm H(2)0) with a mean transverse sinus stenosis gradient of 20 mm Hg. The mean lumbar CSF pressure before stent placement was 322 mm H(2)O. In all 52 patients, stent placement immediately eliminated the TSS pressure gradient, rapidly improved IIH symptoms, and abolished papilledema. In 6 patients, symptom relapse (headache) was associated with increased venous pressure and recurrent stenosis adjacent to the previous stent. In these cases, placement of another stent again removed the transverse sinus stenosis pressure gradient and improved symptoms. Of the 52 patients, 49 have been cured of all IIH symptoms.
These findings indicate a role for transverse sinus stent placement in the management of selected patients with IIH.
Meta-analysis is increasingly used as a key source of evidence synthesis to inform clinical practice. The theory and statistical foundations of meta-analysis continually evolve, providing solutions to many new and challenging problems. In practice, most meta-analyses are performed in general statistical packages or dedicated meta-analysis programs.
Herein, we introduce Meta-Analyst, a novel, powerful, intuitive, and free meta-analysis program for the meta-analysis of a variety of problems. Meta-Analyst is implemented in C# atop of the Microsoft .NET framework, and features a graphical user interface. The software performs several meta-analysis and meta-regression models for binary and continuous outcomes, as well as analyses for diagnostic and prognostic test studies in the frequentist and Bayesian frameworks. Moreover, Meta-Analyst includes a flexible tool to edit and customize generated meta-analysis graphs (e.g., forest plots) and provides output in many formats (images, Adobe PDF, Microsoft Word-ready RTF). The software architecture employed allows for rapid changes to be made to either the Graphical User Interface (GUI) or to the analytic modules.We verified the numerical precision of Meta-Analyst by comparing its output with that from standard meta-analysis routines in Stata over a large database of 11,803 meta-analyses of binary outcome data, and 6,881 meta-analyses of continuous outcome data from the Cochrane Library of Systematic Reviews. Results from analyses of diagnostic and prognostic test studies have been verified in a limited number of meta-analyses versus MetaDisc and MetaTest. Bayesian statistical analyses use the OpenBUGS calculation engine (and are thus as accurate as the standalone OpenBUGS software).
We have developed and validated a new program for conducting meta-analyses that combines the advantages of existing software for this task.
Cochrane Reviews have recently started including the quantity I 2 to help readers assess the consistency of the results of studies in meta-analyses. What does this new quantity mean, and why is assessment of heterogeneity so important to clinical practice?
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses can provide convincing and reliable evidence relevant to many aspects of medicine and health care.1 Their value is especially clear when the results of the studies they include show clinically important effects of similar magnitude. However, the conclusions are less clear when the included studies have differing results. In an attempt to establish whether studies are consistent, reports of meta-analyses commonly present a statistical test of heterogeneity. The test seeks to determine whether there are genuine differences underlying the results of the studies (heterogeneity), or whether the variation in findings is compatible with chance alone (homogeneity). However, the test is susceptible to the number of trials included in the meta-analysis. We have developed a new quantity, I 2, which we believe gives a better measure of the consistency between trials in a meta-analysis.
Assessment of the consistency of effects across studies is an essential part of meta-analysis. Unless we know how consistent the results of studies are, we cannot determine the generalisability of the findings of the meta-analysis. Indeed, several hierarchical systems for grading evidence state that the results of studies must be consistent or homogeneous to obtain the highest grading.2–4
Tests for heterogeneity are commonly used to decide on methods for combining studies and for concluding consistency or inconsistency of findings.5 6 But what does the test achieve in practice, and how should the resulting P values be interpreted?
A test for heterogeneity examines the null hypothesis that all studies are evaluating the same effect. The usual test statistic …
The high pressures documented in the intracranial venous sinuses in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) could be the result of focal stenotic lesions in the lateral sinuses obstructing cranial venous outflow.
To explore the relation between venous sinus disease and IIH.
12 patients with refractory IIH had dilatation and stenting of the venous sinuses after venography and manometry had shown intracranial venous hypertension proximal to stenoses in the lateral sinuses. Intrasinus pressures were recorded before and after the procedure and correlated with clinical outcome.
Intrasinus pressures were variably reduced by stenting. Five patients were rendered asymptomatic, two were improved, and five were unchanged.
The importance of venous sinus disease in the aetiology of IIH is probably underestimated. Lateral sinus stenting shows promise as an alternative treatment to neurosurgical intervention in intractable cases.
OBJECTIVE
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is commonly associated with venous sinus stenosis. In recent years, transvenous dural venous sinus stent (DVSS) insertion has emerged as a potential therapy for resistant cases. However, there remains considerable uncertainty over the safety and efficacy of this procedure, in particular the incidence of intraprocedural and delayed complications and in the longevity of sinus patency, pressure gradient obliteration, and therapeutic clinical outcome. The aim of this study was to determine clinical, radiological, and manometric outcomes at 3–4 months after DVSS in this treated IIH cohort.
METHODS
Clinical, radiographic, and manometric data before and 3–4 months after DVSS were reviewed in this single-center case series. All venographic and manometric procedures were performed under local anesthesia with the patient supine.
RESULTS
Forty-one patients underwent DVSS venography/manometry within 120 days. Sinus pressure reduction of between 11 and 15 mm Hg was achieved 3–4 months after DVSS compared with pre-stent baseline, regardless of whether the procedure was primary or secondary (after shunt surgery). Radiographic obliteration of anatomical stenosis correlating with reduction in pressure gradients was observed. The complication rate after DVSS was 4.9% and stent survival was 87.8% at 120 days. At least 20% of patients developed restenosis following DVSS and only 63.3% demonstrated an improvement or resolution of papilledema.
CONCLUSIONS
Reduced venous sinus pressures were observed at 120 days after the procedure. DVSS showed lower complication rates than shunts, but the clinical outcome data were less convincing. To definitively compare the outcomes between DVSS and shunts in IIH, a randomized prospective study is needed.
Introduction:
Medical treatment, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting, and optic nerve sheath fenestration are standard treatments for increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Venous sinus stenting provides a novel alternative surgical treatment in cases of venous sinus stenosis with elevated ICP.
Methods:
12 consecutive subjects with papilledema, increased ICP, and radiological signs of dural sinus stenosis underwent cerebral venography and manometry. All subjects had papilledema and demonstrated radiological evidence of dural venous sinus stenosis.
Results:
Six subjects chose venous stenting (Group A) and six declined and were managed conservatively with oral acetazolamide (Group B). The relative pressure gradient across the venous narrowing was 29±16.3 mm Hg in Group A and 17.6±9.3 mm Hg in Group B (p=0.09). The mean lumbar puncture opening pressure was 40.4±7.6 cm H2O in Group A and 35.6±10.6 cm H2O in Group B (p=0.4). Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) showed mean average retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness of 210±44.8 µm in Group A and 235±124.7 µm in Group B. However, the mean average RNFL thickness at 6 months was 85±9 µm in Group A and 95±24 µm in Group B (p=0.6). The total duration of acetazolamide treatment was 188±209 days in Group A compared with 571±544 days in Group B (p=0.07).
Conclusions:
In subjects with venous sinuses stenosis, endovascular stenting offers an effective treatment option for intracranial hypertension which may shorten the duration of medical therapy.
Introduction:
Venous outflow obstruction has been implicated in the pathophysiology of a subset of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and venous sinus stenting (VSS) has emerged as an effective treatment. However, the effect of anesthesia on venous sinus pressure measurements is unpredictable. A more thorough understanding of the effect of the level of anesthesia on intracranial venous pressures might help to better define patients who might benefit most from stent placement.
Objective:
To compare, in a retrospective cohort study, intracranial venous pressures measured under conscious (CS) sedation versus general anesthesia (GA) and to assess the relationship between anesthetic-dependent venous pressures and outcomes after VSS.
Methods:
We performed a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database to identify patients undergoing angiographic evaluation and VSS for intracranial venous stenosis. Mean venous pressures (MVPs) and trans-stenosis pressure gradients obtained under CS were compared with those measured under GA.
Results:
The maximal MVP was significantly lower under GA (19.8?mm?Hg) than CS (21.9?mm?Hg; p=0.029). The MVPs in the superior sagittal sinus, torcula, and transverse sinus were lower under GA, but were significantly higher in the sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb under GA (p<0.001). The mean trans-stenosis pressure gradient was also significantly lower under GA (8.6?mm?Hg) than CS (12.1?mm?Hg; p<0.001). Patients with a larger difference between maximum MVP under GA versus CS were more likely to have normalization of the MVP after VSS (p=0.0008).
Conclusions:
Intracranial venous pressures are markedly affected by GA. In order to obtain an accurate measurement of MVPs and trans-stenosis gradients, patients undergoing investigation for IIH should undergo cerebral angiography and venous manometry under CS, which provides more reliable data for outcomes after VSS.
Background
Venous sinus stenting for dural sinus stenoses is an emerging alternative to cerebrospinal fluid diversion in cases of medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Juxta-stent ‘re-stenoses’ have been reported and managed alternatively with ventricular shunting or stent revision. Identification of factors that might predispose patients to recurrent narrowing may help to select or exclude patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension for venous sinus stenting.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed a prospectively maintained database spanning December 2011 to May 2015 of all patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who were screened for possible venous sinus stenting, including only patients who received a stent, noting symptomatic improvements, changes in opening lumbar puncture pressure, demographic characteristics, and any subsequent intervention after stent placement. Fisher's exact test and logistic regression were used to test each of seven potential predictors for retreatment.
Results
There were eight revisions in 31 patients (25.8%). Among Caucasians, 8.0% required a revision compared with 100% of African-Americans (p<0.001). The c-index for race was 0.857. Body mass index (BMI) was also a significant predictor of revision (p=0.031): among class III obese patients the revision rate was 46.2% compared with 16.7% among class I and II obese patients and 0% among overweight to normal weight patients.
Conclusions
BMI was a significant predictor of revision, suggesting that higher BMI may have a higher risk of revision. The small number of African-Americans in the study makes interpretation of the practical significance of the revision rate in these patients uncertain. None of the other studied factors was statistically significant.
Background
Some patients undergoing dural sinus stenting for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) develop clinical and hemodynamic failure (recurrence of the pressure gradient) owing to stent-adjacent stenosis.
Objective
To characterize factors associated with hemodynamic failure, and to describe outcomes of patients after repeat stenting.
Materials and methods
We reviewed the initial and follow-up clinical, venographic, and hemodynamic data in 39 patients with IIH treated over 17 years with stenting. Thirty-two had follow-up angiographic and hemodynamic data at 1–99 months (mean 27.6, median 19.5 months). Eight patients were treated with 12 repeat stenting procedures, including extended stenting into the superior sagittal sinus (SSS).
Results
All patients had an initial successful hemodynamic result with the pressure gradient reduced from 10–43 to 0–7 mm Hg. 10/32 patients (31.3%), all women, developed new stenoses in the transverse sinus or posterior SSS above the stent with a recurrent pressure gradient. 7/9 patients with pure extrinsic stenosis of the transverse-sigmoid junction pre-stenting developed new stenoses and hemodynamic failure. All patients with hemodynamic failure who were restented had early and mid-term documented hemodynamic success at 1.7–50 months. They were free from papilledema at 3.8–50 months after the last restenting, and 11.5–99.5 months after initial stent placement (mean 45.3, median 38.5 months).
Conclusions
Pure extrinsic compression of the transverse-sigmoid junction and female gender were strongly associated with hemodynamic failure. Eight patients with hemodynamic failure who were restented had successful control of papilledema, including 4/4 who had extended stenting into the SSS.
Background:
Over the past decade, stenting of lateral sinus stenosis has been used to treat idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Two types of stenoses have been identified: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Objective:
The aim of this study was to report the results of our use of this procedure to treat patients with extrinsic or intrinsic stenoses in idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Methods:
We retrospectively studied clinical, radiological, and manometric data from patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension who were treated at our institution between January 2009 and January 2015 by stenting of the lateral sinus.
Results:
Data were studied from 19 women and 2 men. Average body mass index was 29 kg/m 2 , and the median age at stenting was 33 years. Patients with extrinsic stenoses were younger than those with intrinsic stenoses. Transstenotic gradients measured with patients under general anesthesia were lower than those measured with patients under local anesthesia. In all cases, stenting was effective for papilledema and pulsatile tinnitus. Seventeen patients reporting headaches found that they disappeared completely after stenting. Two complications without long-term effects were reported.
Conclusion:
Irrespective of the type of stenosis, stenting of lateral sinus stenoses is an effective treatment for intracranial hypertension symptoms. At our institution, this treatment has replaced draining of cerebrospinal fluid when treatment with acetazolamide has proved to be ineffective.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disorder characterised by raised intracranial pressure that predominantly affects young, obese women. Pathogenesis has not been fully elucidated, but several causal factors have been proposed. Symptoms can include headaches, visual loss, pulsatile tinnitus, and back and neck pain, but the clinical presentation is highly variable. Although few studies have been done to support evidence-based management, several recent advances have the potential to enhance understanding of the causes of the disease and to guide treatment decisions. Investigators of the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial (IIHTT) reported beneficial effects of acetazolamide in patients with mild visual loss. Studies have also established weight loss as an effective disease-modifying treatment, and further clinical trials to investigate new treatments are underway. The incidence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension is expected to increase as rates of obesity increase; efforts to reduce diagnostic delays and identify new, effective approaches to treatment will be key to meeting the needs of a growing number of patients.
Background:
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) when no underlying etiology is found, is a clinical syndrome characterized by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) (>25 cm H2O), which may lead to headaches and visual symptoms. In patients with IIH who are found to have transverse sinus stenosis, placement of a venous stent across the stenosis has been shown to lower ICP and to resolve the symptoms in several case series, with generally favorable results. In this study, we examine common risk factors associated with failure of transvenous stenting for IIH. If venous sinus stenting fails, CSF diversion should be considered as the next line of treatment.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed the records of eighteen patients diagnosed with IIH who underwent venous sinus stenting for transverse sinus stenosis with a mean pressure gradient (MPG) of at least 4 mmHg. Fifteen of these patients did not need further treatment. We compared their pre- and post-treatment, neurological and neuro-ophthalmological evaluations to the three patients who went on to have a shunt placement as a second line treatment.
Results:
Shunting after stent placement patients (n=3) had a mean age of 30 years and a mean body mass index of 36.6 kg/m(2), whereas the group that underwent stent placement alone (n=15) had a mean age of 40.7 years and a mean body mass index of 33.3 kg/m(2). In the shunting after stent placement group, the mean opening pressure on the most recent lumbar puncture obtained prior to any intervention was 50 cm of H2O, whereas the group that underwent stent placement alone had an opening CSF pressure of 37 cm of H2O which was statistically significant (p<0.05). There were no other significant differences in pre- or post-intervention factors between the two groups.
Conclusion:
In patients with IIH and documented evidence of venous sinus stenosis with a pressure gradient, venous sinus stenting should be the primary treatment of choice; however, some patients may be refractory to stenting and still require permanent CSF diversion, which can be complicated in these chronically anticoagulated patients. Patients with persistent papilledema post-stenting and highly elevated opening pressure pre-stenting should be followed closely as they are at greatest risk of requiring a shunt and failing stenting.
BACKGROUND
Previous studies have demonstrated that cerebral dural sinus stenosis (DSS) may be a potential patho-physiological cause of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Endovascular therapy for DSS is emerging as a potential alternative to treat IIH. Here, we present the results of our case series. METHOD
We prospectively collected angiographic and manometric data on patients that underwent angioplasty/stenting for IIH. All patients had failed maximal medical therapy (MMT) and had confirmed sinus stenosis. Demographic, clinical and radiological presentation, and outcomes were collected retrospectively. RESULTSA total of 18 patients underwent 25 procedures. Demographics revealed a mean age of 30 (range 15-59), 83% (15/18) were female, 72% (13/18) were white, and mean body mass index of 36 (range 23-59.2). All patients presented with classic IIH. Symptom improvement or resolution was reported in 94% (17/18) of patients. All patients had resolution and/or stabilization/improvement of their papilledema. Headaches related to increased pressure improved in 56% (10/18). Re-stenosis and retreatment occurred in 33% (6/18). No procedural related complications were reported. CONCLUSION
Dural sinus angioplasty and stenting is relatively safe, feasible, and clinically efficacious for patients with symptomatic sinus stenosis who have failed standard therapy. The long-term durability of patency and clinical improvement remains unknown.
Background:
Recent reports suggest that placement of a venous sinus stent improves symptoms in selected patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). We report our evaluation of the long-term patency of venous stents placed for IIH.
Methods:
We retrospectively reviewed our clinical database for 30 patients (mean age 33±10 years) with IIH who underwent placement of 36 venous sinus stents between October 2006 and December 2012. Relevant clinical, demographic and radiographic data were extracted after review of these records. All patients underwent retrograde venography to confirm a >50% stenosis and a trans-stenosis pressure gradient. Follow-up catheter angiography was performed beginning 3 months after the procedure.
Results:
Follow-up imaging was available for 23 (77%) of the 30 patients (mean 23 months). For seven patients, angiographic follow-up of >2 years (mean 45 months) was available. All stents remained patent with mild (<25%) in-stent stenosis observed in four patients. In five patients, however, we observed a narrowing of the sinus proximal to the stent. Although no patient underwent repeat stent placement for persistent or recurrent symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid diversion was performed in five cases.
Conclusions:
Venous sinus stent placement has emerged as a promising treatment option for the subgroup of patients with IIH with a pressure gradient across a stenotic venous sinus. We observed long-term patency of all stents placed in this patient population. Further prospective investigation is necessary to improve our understanding of the phenomenon of sinus narrowing upstream of a patent stent and to establish definitively the long-term clinical efficacy of venous sinus stent placement for IIH.
The use of unilateral dural sinus stent placement in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has been described by multiple investigators. To date there is a paucity of information on the angiographic and hemodynamic outcome of these procedures. The object of this study was to define the clinical, angiographic, and hemodynamic outcome of placement of unilateral dural sinus stents to treat intracranial venous hypertension in a subgroup of patients meeting the diagnostic criteria for IIH.
Eighteen consecutive patients with a clinical diagnosis of IIH were treated with unilateral stent placement in the transverse-sigmoid junction region. All patients had papilledema. All 12 female patients had headaches; 1 of 6 males had headaches previously that disappeared after weight loss. Seventeen patients had elevated opening pressures at lumbar puncture. Twelve patients had opening pressures of 33-55 cm H(2)O. All patients underwent diagnostic cerebral arteriography that showed venous outflow compromise by filling defects in the transverse-sigmoid junction region. All patients underwent intracranial selective venous pressure measurements across the filling defects. Follow-up arteriography was performed in 16 patients and follow-up venography/venous pressure measurements were performed in 15 patients.
Initial pressure gradients across the filling defects ranged from 10.5 to 39 mm Hg. Nineteen stent procedures were performed in 18 patients. One patient underwent repeat stent placement for hemodynamic failure. Pressure gradients were reduced in every instance and ranged from 0 to 7 mm Hg after stenting. Fifteen of 16 patients in whom ophthalmological follow-up was performed experienced disappearance of papilledema. Follow-up arteriography in 16 patients at 5-99 months (mean 25.3 months, median 18.5 months) showed patency of all stents without in-stent restenosis. Two patients had filling defects immediately above the stent. Four other patients developed transverse sinus narrowing above the stent without filling defects. One of these patients underwent repeat stent placement because of hemodynamic deterioration. Two of the other 3 patients had hemodynamic deterioration with recurrent pressure gradients of 10.5 and 18 mm Hg.
All stents remained patent without restenosis. Stent placement is durable and successfully eliminates papilledema in appropriately selected patients. Continuing hemodynamic success in this series was 80%, and was 87% with repeat stent placement in 1 patient.
Background Lumboperitoneal shunt (LPS), ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) and optic nerve sheath fenestration (ONSF) are accepted surgical therapies for medically refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). In the subset of patients with IIH and venous sinus stenosis, dural venous sinus stenting has emerged as an alternative surgical approach.
Methods All cases of dural stents for IIH at our institution were retrospectively reviewed. Eligibility criteria included medically refractory IIH with documented papilledema and dural venous sinus stenosis of the dominant venous outflow system (gradient ≥10 mm Hg).
Results Fifteen cases (all women) of mean age 34 years were identified. All had failed medical therapy and six had failed surgical intervention. Technical success was achieved in all patients without major periprocedural complications. The mean preprocedural gradient across the venous stenosis was reduced from 24 mm Hg before the procedure to 4 mm Hg after the procedure. Headache resolved or improved in 10 patients. Papilledema resolved in all patients and visual acuity stabilized or improved in 14 patients. There were no instances of restenosis among the 14 patients with follow-up imaging.
Conclusion In this small case series, dural sinus stenting for IIH was performed safely with a high degree of technical success and with excellent clinical outcomes. These results suggest that angioplasty and stenting for the treatment of medically refractory IIH in patients with dural sinus stenosis warrants further investigation as an alternative to LPS, VPS and ONSF.
The cause of pseudotumor cerebri, or benign intracranial hypertension (BIH), is controversial. We report our results from 18 cases of venous sinus stenting (VSS), the largest series in the literature, with specific focus on the rate of technical success, amelioration of the subjective symptom of headache, attendant complications, and radiographic patency on follow-up.
Review of our prospectively maintained database identified 18 patients who had undergone 19 VSS procedures for the placement of 30 stents in the past 2.5 years. Indications for treatment included a clinical diagnosis of BIH with venographic demonstration of stenosis.
VSS was technically successful in all patients (100%). No patient suffered a permanent complication. Three patients were lost to follow-up. The remaining 15 patients were followed clinically and asked to rate their headache severity on a scale of 1 to 10 both before and after VSS. Overall, 12 patients (80%) qualified their headaches as better after VSS, two stated that they were the same, and one patient said that they were worse. Of 14 patients who underwent follow-up angiography, all demonstrated normal patency of the stented segments. In one of these patients, stenosis was detected on follow-up in the unstented segment of the sigmoid sinus and jugular bulb.
VSS is highly effective (80%) in ameliorating headache associated with BIH. The procedure is associated with a high rate of technical success (100%), a low rate of permanent complications (0), and a high rate of stent patency on follow-up angiography (100%).
The pathophysiology of IIH remains unknown. TS stenoses have been observed in a high proportion of these patients. Stent placement to remove this potential obstruction to venous outflow has been proposed as a treatment option for patients with IIH refractory to medical treatment.
The clinical presentation, treatment, and outcome of patients with refractory IIH evaluated for venous sinus stent placement at a tertiary care center was retrospectively reviewed.
Thirteen female patients with IIH were evaluated for sinovenous stent placement. Moderate sinus stenoses with normal intrasinus pressures were found in 3 patients and therefore stent placement was not performed. Ten patients had elevated intrasinus pressures (pressure gradient across stenosis, 11-50 mm Hg), which decreased following unilateral TS stent placement. Headaches improved or resolved in all stented patients. Papilledema resolved completely or almost completely in 8 patients and significantly improved in 2 patients. One patient developed optic atrophy. There were no major periprocedural complications.
In this small case series, restoring the patency of stenotic venous sinuses with a stent in patients with refractory IIH resulted in symptomatic improvement in all treated patients. The safety and efficacy of this procedure should be evaluated in a randomized controlled study to determine its role within the armamentarium of therapeutic options for patients with IIH.
This paper examines eight published reviews each reporting results from several related trials. Each review pools the results from the relevant trials in order to evaluate the efficacy of a certain treatment for a specified medical condition. These reviews lack consistent assessment of homogeneity of treatment effect before pooling. We discuss a random effects approach to combining evidence from a series of experiments comparing two treatments. This approach incorporates the heterogeneity of effects in the analysis of the overall treatment efficacy. The model can be extended to include relevant covariates which would reduce the heterogeneity and allow for more specific therapeutic recommendations. We suggest a simple noniterative procedure for characterizing the distribution of treatment effects in a series of studies.
Pseudotumor cerebri, or benign intracranial hypertension, is a condition of raised intracranial pressure in the absence of a mass lesion or cerebral edema. It is characterized by headache and visual deterioration that may culminate in blindness. Pseudotumor cerebri is caused by venous sinus obstruction in an unknown percentage of cases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of cerebral venous sinus disease in pseudotumor cerebri and the potential of endoluminal venous sinus stent placement as a new treatment.
Nine consecutive patients in whom diagnoses of pseudotumor cerebri had been made underwent examination with direct retrograde cerebral venography (DRCV) and manometry to characterize the morphological features and venous pressures in their cerebral venous sinuses. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure was measured simultaneously in two patients. If patients had an amenable lesion they were treated using an endoluminal venous sinus stent. Five patients demonstrated morphological obstruction of the venous transverse sinuses (TSs). All lesions were associated with a distinct pressure gradient and raised proximal venous sinus pressures. Four patients underwent stent insertion in the venous sinuses and reported that their headaches improved immediately after the procedure and remained so at 6 months. Vision was improved in three patients, whereas it remained poor in one despite normalized CSF pressures.
Patients with pseudotumor cerebri should be evaluated with DRCV and manometry because venous TS obstruction is probably more common than is currently appreciated. In patients with a lesion of the venous sinuses, treatment with an endoluminal venous sinus stent is a viable alternative for amenable lesions.
To explore the relation between venous disease and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
Optic nerve sheath fenestration and ventricular shunting are the classic methods when medical treatment has failed. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is caused by venous sinus obstruction in an unknown percentage of cases. Recently, endoluminal venous sinus stenting was proposed as an alternative treatment.
Ten consecutive patients with refractory idiopathic intracranial hypertension underwent examination with direct retrograde cerebral venography and manometry to characterize the morphologic features and venous pressures in their cerebral venous sinus. All patients demonstrated morphologic obstruction of the venous lateral sinuses. The CSF pressure was measured in all patients. The CSF pressure on lumbar puncture ranged from 27 to 45 mm Hg with normal composition. All patients had headache, and visual acuity loss was noted in eight patients. Funduscopic examination demonstrated papilledema for all patients. All patients had stenting of the venous sinuses. Intrasinus pressures were recorded before and after the procedure and correlated with clinical outcome.
Intrasinus pressures were invariably reduced by stenting. For headache, six patients were rendered asymptomatic, two were improved, and two were unchanged after venous sinus stenting for a mean (+/- SD) follow-up of 17 +/- 10.1 months (range 6 to 36 months). Papilledema disappeared in all patients. In all cases, CSF pressure was normalized at 3-month follow-up. In all patients, direct retrograde cerebral venography or multidetector row CT angiography was performed at 6-month follow-up and demonstrated the absence of stent thrombosis.
The importance of venous sinus disease in the etiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension is probably underestimated. Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension in whom a venous sinus stenosis is demonstrated by a noninvasive radiologic workup should be evaluated with direct retrograde cerebral venography and manometry. In patients with a lesion of the venous sinuses who experienced medical treatment failure, endovascular stent placement seems to be an interesting alternative to classic surgical approaches.
Meta-analyst: software for meta-analysis of binary, continuous and diagnostic data
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