Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in a Pediatric Population: A Retrospective Analysis of the Initial Imaging Evaluation

Abstract

There are few studies in the pediatric population regarding the use of magnetic resonance venography to rule out cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in patients presenting with signs and symptoms of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The purpose of this study was to compare the clinical characteristics of children with presumed idiopathic intracranial hypertension who did and did not undergo venography during their evaluation at a single children's hospital. The authors found that 45 of 68 (66%) patients underwent magnetic resonance venography. Five of 45 (11%) venography studies revealed a thrombosis. There were no significant clinical differences within patients based on the completion of venography or the presence of thrombosis. Larger studies are needed to identify risk factors for thrombosis in children with presumed idiopathic intracranial hypertension, as well as factors influencing physician decision making in the use of magnetic resonance venography in this evaluation.

Bilateral Abducens Nerve Palsy due to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension as an Initial Manifestation of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

“…Therefore, thrombosis and hypercoagulability may cause impaired CSF absorption and lead to IIH in patients with SLE. Some authors have proposed that it is better to perform MR venography in atypical cases (11). In our case, we performed imaging studies using MRI, magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and plain CT, in addition to common coagulation testing.…”

Optic nerve abnormalities in children: A practical approach

“…The composition of the cerebrospinal fluid is normal. Although papilledema is a typical sign of intracranial hypertension (Figure 9), it 53 Typical symptoms of intracranial hypertension include headaches, transient visual obscurations, pulse synchronous tinnitus, and vision loss. The intracranial hypertension is usually truly idiopathic, but it may sometimes be associated with the use of medications, such as tetracycline, vitamin A, and growth hormone, or with systemic conditions such as systemic lupus.…”

“…Dural sinus thrombosis, which may affect cerebrospinal fluid outflow, may be an associated finding. 53 Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is less common in the pediatric population as compared to the adult population. 54 A retrospective series of children between 3 and 15 years of age in a geographically limited region showed an incidence of 0.9 per 100,000.…”

Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome in Children

“…The typical adult patient with PTCS is an obese female of child-bearing age [3,6,9]. Conversely, in young children, there is an equal distribution between males and females [10,11]. In children younger than age 12, weight does not seem to influence the development of primary PTCS, and younger boys especially tend to be thinner.…”