scholarly journals Long-term telemetric intracranial pressure monitoring for diagnosis and therapy optimisation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

BMC Neurology ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor F. Velazquez Sanchez ◽  
Giath Al Dayri ◽  
Christoph A. Tschan

Abstract Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disease which is difficult to diagnose and moreover difficult to treat. We developed a strategy for long-term telemonitoring of intracranial pressure (ICP), by incorporation of the NEUROVENT®-P-tel System, with the goal of improved diagnosis and consequent therapy of this disease. We highlight the results obtained through this approach. Methods Twenty patients with suspected IIH who were treated in our hospital from August 2014 to October 2020 (16 females, 4 males, median age 36,6 years), were assigned to one of two ICP monitoring settings, “Home-Telemonitoring” (n = 12) and “Home-Monitoring” (n = 8). The ICP data were analysed and used conjointly with the accompanying clinical picture for establishment of IIH diagnosis, and telemonitoring was resumed for therapy optimisation of confirmed cases. Results The diagnosis of IIH was confirmed in 18 of the 20 patients. Various surgical/interventional treatments were applied to the confirmed cases, including ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunting (n = 15), stenting of the transvers venous sinus (n = 1), endoscopic third ventriculostomy (ETV) (n = 1), and ETV in combination with endoscopic laser-based coagulation of the choroid Plexus (n = 1). Optimal adjustment of the implanted shunt valves was achieved with an average valve opening pressure of 6,3 ± 2,17 cm H2O for differential valves, and of 29,8 ± 3,94 cm H2O for gravitational valves. The Home-Telemonitoring setting reduced consequent outpatient visits, compared to the Home-Monitoring setting, with an average of 3,1 visits and 4,3 visits, respectively. No complications were associated with the surgical implantation of the P-tel catheter. Conclusion This study offers insight into the use of long-term ICP monitoring for management of IIH patients in combination with dual-valve VP shunts. The use of NEUROVENT® P-tel system and potentially other similar fully implantable ICP-monitoring devices, albeit invasive, may be justified in this complex disease. The data suggest recommending an initial adjustment of dual-valve VP-shunts of 30 and 6 cm H2O, for gravitational and differential valves, respectively. Further research is warranted to explore potential integration of this concept in IIH management guidelines.

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
pp. 493
Author(s):  
Thomas Markus Dhaese ◽  
Leonardo C. Welling ◽  
Alice Magro Kosciasnki ◽  
Gustavo Frigeri ◽  
Judy Auada ◽  
...  

Background: Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has been variously explored as a diagnostic and therapeutic modality in many pathological conditions leading neurological injury. This monitoring standardly depends on an invasive procedure such as cranial or lumbar catheterization. The gold standard for ICP monitoring is through an intraventricular catheter, but this invasive technique is associated with certain risks such as haemorrhage and infection. (1) Also, it is a high-cost procedure and consequently not available in a variety of underprivileged places and clinical situations in which intracranial hypertension is prevalent (3). An accurate non-invasive and low-priced method to measure elevated ICP would therefore be desirable. Under these circumstances, Brazilian scientists developed a non-invasive method for intracranial pressure monitoring (ICP-NI), which uses an electric resistance extensometer that measures micro deformations of the skull and transforms it into an electrical signal. In this case report, the authors describe a pediatrician patient with the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension who was successfully submitted to a lumbar puncture under monitorization with this device. Case description: 7 year old girl with progressive symptoms that lead to the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The patient was submitted to a lumbar punction with continuous non-invasive ICP monitoring. Conclusion: Estimating ICP (non-invasive) from LP monitoring (invasive) often reflect inaccurate ICP results, and affects negatively on IIH diagnosis and a non-invasive diagnostic method could reduce the requirement for invasive approaches, improving patient health outcomes.


2008 ◽  
Vol 108 (5) ◽  
pp. 934-942 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria A. Poca ◽  
Francisco Martínez-Ricarte ◽  
Juan Sahuquillo ◽  
Roberto Lastra ◽  
Ramón Torné ◽  
...  

Object Continuous intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring using an epidural sensor is a common technique used in selected neurosurgical patients. The aim of this study was to assess the safety and accuracy of the Neurodur-P epidural sensor in the clinical setting. Methods The zero drift, as well as the medical and technical complications, of using the Neurodur-P sensor placed in the epidural space was evaluated in 106 patients with hydrocephalus of varying causes or with suspected intracranial hypertension. Results The median duration of ICP monitoring was 8 days (interquartile range [IQR] 6–12 days). In 78 (73.6%) of the 106 patients the pressure reading was recorded at sensor removal. No zero drift was observed in 28 sensors. The median drift was 0 mm Hg with an IQR of −1 to 1 mm Hg. No significant differences were found between patients monitored for ≤ 5 days and those monitored for > 5 days (t = 535, p = 0.100). No correlation was found between zero drift and monitoring time (r = 0.153, p = 0.181). Of the 83 patients with a follow-up computed tomography scan, 3 showed a < 1 ml collection of blood at the catheter tip. No clinical infections could be attributed to the devices. Only 1 sensor malfunctioned. Conclusions Continuous ICP monitoring using the Neurodur-P sensor is safe, reliable, and easy to perform. At present, using this device is the authors' standard method for the long-term monitoring of patients with alterations in complex cerebrospinal fluid dynamics or with implanted shunts.


2019 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Sajedeh Eftekhari ◽  
Connar Stanley James Westgate ◽  
Maria Schmidt Uldall ◽  
Rigmor Hoejland Jensen

Abstract Background Elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) is observed in association with a range of brain disorders. One of these challenging disorders is idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), characterized by raised ICP of unknown cause with significant morbidity and limited therapeutic options. In this review, special focus is put on the preclinical research performed in order to understand the pathophysiology behind ICP regulation and IIH. This includes cerebrospinal fluid dynamics, molecular mechanisms underlying disturbances in brain fluids leading to elevated ICP, role of obesity in IIH, development of an IIH model and ICP measurements in rodents. The review also discusses existing and new drug targets for IIH that have been evaluated in vivo. Conclusions ICP monitoring in rodents is challenging and different methods have been applied. Some of these methods are invasive, depend on use of anesthesia and only allow short-term monitoring. Long-term ICP recordings are needed to study IIH but existing methods are hampered by several limitations. As obesity is one of the most common risk factors for IIH, a rodent obese model has been developed that mimics some key aspects of IIH. The most commonly used drugs for IIH have been evaluated in vivo for their efficacy at lowering ICP in the existing animal models. These studies suggest these drugs, including acetazolamide, might have limited or no reducing effect on ICP. Two drug targets that can impact ICP in healthy rodents are topiramate and a glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor (GLP-1R) agonist. However, it remains to evaluate their effect in an IIH model with more precise and valid ICP monitoring system. Therefore, continued evaluation in the preclinical research with refined tools is of great importance to further understand the pathophysiology behind disorders with raised ICP and to explore new drug targets.


2002 ◽  
Vol 60 (2B) ◽  
pp. 453-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elcio Juliato Piovesan ◽  
Marcos Cristiano Lange ◽  
Liciane do Rocio Maia Piovesan ◽  
Sergio Monteiro de Almeida ◽  
Pedro André Kowacs ◽  
...  

Chronic headaches, associated with papilledema and pulsatile tinnitus without any neuroradiologic, cytobiochemical or cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities are suggestive of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). However the absence of the papilledema does not rule out this diagnosis. The reason why some patients do not develop papilledema in IIH is ignored, however there are some hypotheses concerning the structure of the optical nerve. In this study we described two female patients that presented diagnosis of IIH with papilledema, with subsequent resolution of papilledema without the due resolution of intracranial hypertension. The long-term behavior of the optic nerve (ON) facing an increased intracranial pressure was evaluated through repeated measurements of the intracranial pressure. We concluded that the ON submitted to high intracranial pressure for a certain lenght of time can adapt itself with subsequent disappearance of the papilledema. The presence or not of papilledema in IIH can be related to the period in which the diagnosis is accomplished.


2017 ◽  
Vol 126 (4) ◽  
pp. 1312-1322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Radek Frič ◽  
Per Kristian Eide

OBJECTIVE Several lines of evidence suggest common pathophysiological mechanisms in Chiari malformation Type I (CMI) and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). It has been hypothesized that tonsillar ectopy, a typical finding in CMI, is the result of elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) combined with a developmentally small posterior cranial fossa (PCF). To explore this hypothesis, the authors specifically investigated whether ICP is comparable in CMI and IIH and whether intracranial volumes (ICVs) are different in patients with CMI and IIH, which could explain the tonsillar ectopy in CMI. The authors also examined whether the symptom profile is comparable in these 2 patient groups. METHODS The authors identified all CMI and IIH patients who had undergone overnight diagnostic ICP monitoring during the period from 2002 to 2014 and reviewed their clinical records and radiological examinations. Ventricular CSF volume (VV), PCF volume (PCFV), and total ICV were calculated from initial MRI studies by using volumetric software. The static and pulsatile ICP scores during overnight monitoring were analyzed. Furthermore, the authors included a reference (REF) group consisting of patients who had undergone ICP monitoring due to suspected idiopathic normal-pressure hydrocephalus or chronic daily headache and showed normal pressure values. RESULTS Sixty-six patients with CMI and 41 with IIH were identified, with comparable demographics noted in both groups. The occurrence of some symptoms (headache, nausea, and/or vomiting) was comparable between the cohorts. Dizziness and gait ataxia were significantly more common in patients with CMI, whereas visual symptoms, diplopia, and tinnitus were significantly more frequent in patients with IIH. The cranial volume measurements (VV, PCFV, and ICV) of the CMI and IIH patients were similar. Notably, 7.3% of the IIH patients had tonsillar descent qualifying for diagnosis of CMI (that is, > 5 mm). The extent of tonsillar ectopy was significantly different between the CMI and IIH cohorts (p < 0.001) but also between these 2 cohorts and the REF group. Pulsatile ICP was elevated in both cohorts without any significant between-group differences; however, static ICP was significantly higher (p < 0.001) in the IIH group. CONCLUSIONS This study showed comparable and elevated pulsatile ICP, indicative of impaired intracranial compliance, in both CMI and IIH cohorts, while static ICP was higher in the IIH cohort. The data did not support the hypothesis that reduced PCFV combined with increased ICP causes tonsillar ectopy in CMI. Even though impaired intracranial compliance seems to be a common pathophysiological mechanism behind both conditions, the mechanisms explaining the different clinical and radiological presentations of CMI and IIH remain undefined.


Author(s):  
Mahmoud M. Allam ◽  
Hatem A. Almasry ◽  
Sandra M. Ahmed ◽  
Youssuf G. Taha ◽  
Mohammed I. Oraby

Abstract Background Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of increased intracranial pressure without a clear cause and can have serious visual effects. Previous research work suggests that transcranial Doppler measurements of pulsatility index correlate accurately with elevated intracranial pressure. Objective To assess the cerebrovascular hemodynamic changes in patients with IIH using transcranial Doppler before and after lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal. Methods An interventional study conducted on 40 patients (31 females and 9 males) fulfilling the modified Dandy criteria for diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, MRI brain, and MRV was done to the patients. Lumbar puncture was done for all included patients to measure intracranial pressure and CSF withdrawal. Transcranial Doppler was performed for all included before and after lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal and the following parameters were measured: peak systolic velocity (PSV), end diastolic velocity (EDV), resistivity index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI). Results Significant relation was found between grades of papilledema and PSV, RI, and PI (p value 0.012, 0.025, 0.016) but no significant relation was found between grades of papilledema and EDV (0.102). Significant changes occurred in parameters of TCD pre- and post-CSF withdrawal including PSV, EDV, and PI (p value 0.001, 0.015, 0.019) denoting a significant change in cerebral hemodynamics after CSF withdrawal which denotes a decrease in intracranial pressure. Conclusion Increased intracranial pressure significantly affects cerebral blood flow. A normalization of transcranial Doppler parameters occurs following lowering of intracranial pressure through lumbar puncture and CSF withdrawal.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Peng Yong Sim ◽  
Priyal Taribagil ◽  
Ione O. C. Woollacott ◽  
Safina Rashid ◽  
Desmond P. Kidd

Abstract Background The presentation of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in association with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is rare. Case presentation This case report depicts the unusual case of a 31-year-old woman of mixed Jamaican and English heritage with IIH who presented initially as IDA in the context of menorrhagia. Subsequent ophthalmic review, lumbar puncture, cerebrospinal fluid analysis and neuroimaging studies revealed severe bilateral optic disc swelling and raised intracranial pressure in keeping with IIH. Prompt treatment of IDA with blood transfusion and orally administered iron supplements, in addition to medical treatment for IIH, contributed to significant improvement of symptoms and prevented long-term visual deficits. Conclusion The possibility of IDA, albeit rare, should always be considered and investigated appropriately in all patients with IIH, as the treatment of the anemia alone may be sight-saving.


2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. e237504
Author(s):  
Rosa Maja Møhring Gynthersen ◽  
Helene Mens ◽  
Marianne Wegener ◽  
Neval Ete Wareham

We describe a 61-year-old man living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART), who presented with headache, dizziness and blurred vision. Latest CD4+ cell count 3 months prior to admission was 570×106 cells/mL and HIV viral load <20 copies/mL. The patient was diagnosed with cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) lymphocytic pleocytosis, raised intracranial pressure and papilloedema. Neuroimaging showed normal ventricular volume and no mass lesions, suggesting (1) neuroinfection (2) idiopathic intracranial hypertension or (3) retroviral rebound syndrome (RRS) as possible causes. Neuroinfection was ruled out and idiopathic intracranial hypertension seemed unlikely. Elevated plasma HIV RNA level was detected consistent with reduced ART adherence prior to admission. RRS is a virological rebound after ART interruption, which can mimic the acute retroviral syndrome of acute primary infection. To the best of our knowledge, we describe the second case of RRS presenting as CSF lymphocytic pleocytosis and elevated intracranial pressure after low ART adherence.


2021 ◽  
pp. 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000001063
Author(s):  
Susan P Mollan ◽  
Abd A Tahrani ◽  
Alexandra J Sinclair

AbstractPurpose of review:Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) prevalence increased in conjunction with rising obesity rates. Here, we highlight the importance of weigh management in IIH, and introduce glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists (RA) as potential treatment strategy for IIH.Recent findings:Weight gain is a risk factor for IIH; and weight loss (via any treatment strategy) plays a key role in IIH management. GLP-1 is an incretin secreted by the distal small intestine in response to a meal. GLP-1 RA have been shown to improve glycaemic control (no. hypoglycaemia) and lower body weight in patients with and without type 2 diabetes. The choroid plexus has been found to express GLP-1 receptors and treatment with a GLP-1 RA significantly reduces cerebrospinal fluid secretion in vitro and intracranial pressure in rodents.Summary:New research evaluating the pathophysiology of IIH supports GLP-1 RA as a potential treatment for IIH via weight loss dependant and independent mechanism to directly reduce intracranial pressure.


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