Current Indications for Management Options in Pseudotumor Cerebri

The Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is a syndrome of increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure without ventriculomegaly, mass lesion, or meningeal abnormality. It is either primary (idiopathic intracranial hypertension, IIH) or secondary. A secondary cause is unlikely when adhering to the diagnostic criteria. Permanent visual loss occurs if undetected or untreated, and the associated headaches may be debilitating. Fulminant disease may result in blindness despite aggressive treatment. This study addresses the diagnosis and management of IIH including new insights into the pathobiology of IIH, updates in therapeutics and causes of overdiagnosis.

Autoimmune response after SARS-CoV-2 infection and SARS-CoV-2 vaccines

The complicated relationships between autoimmunity, COVID-19, and COVID-19 vaccinations are described, giving insight into their intricacies. Antinuclear antibodies (ANA), anti-Ro/SSA, rheumatoid factor, lupus anticoagulant, and antibodies against interferon (IFN)-I have all been consistently found in COVID-19 patients, indicating a high prevalence of autoimmune reactions following viral exposure. Furthermore, the discovery of human proteins with structural similarities to SARS-CoV-2 peptides as possible autoantigens highlights the complex interplay between the virus and the immune system in initiating autoimmunity. An updated summary of the current status of COVID-19 vaccines is presented. We present probable pathways underpinning the genesis of COVID-19 autoimmunity, such as bystander activation caused by hyperinflammatory conditions, viral persistence, and the creation of neutrophil extracellular traps. These pathways provide important insights into the development of autoimmune-related symptoms ranging from organ-specific to systemic autoimmune and inflammatory illnesses, demonstrating the wide influence of COVID-19 on the immune system.

Risk factors associated with progression from papilloedema to optic atrophy: results from a cohort of 113 patients

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for atrophic progression of patients with papilloedema secondary to intracranial hypertension, using optical coherence tomography parameters.

METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted at Marseille University Hospitals' Ophthalmology departments between December 2015 and December 2021. All patients with papilloedema resulting from elevated intracranial hypertension at the initial presentation were included. Ophthalmological evaluations included analysing retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), ganglion cell layer (GCL) and total peripapillary retinal thickness (RT).

RESULTS

The study included 222 eyes from 113 patients. The main aetiologies of intracranial hypertension were idiopathic intracranial hypertension (49/113), intracranial tumours (33/113) and cerebral venous thrombosis (15/113). The initial RNFL and RT showed significant correlations with optic atrophy. The mean RNFL was 199.63 µm in the 'no atrophy' group and 365.28 µm in the 'atrophy' group (p<0.001). Similarly, the mean RT was 483.72 µm in the 'non-atrophy' group and 796.69 µm in the 'atrophy' group (p<0.001). The presence of peripapillary haemorrhages showed a strong correlated with optic atrophy with an OR=19.12 (p<0.001). Impaired initial visual acuity was also associated with final optic atrophy with an OR=7.76 (p=0.020). Furthermore, impaired initial GCL was a major predictor of optic atrophy (OR=18.25 (p=0.021)).

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights the risk factors for optic atrophy in papilloedema, aiming to facilitate the early detection of patients at a high risk of vision loss and enable more aggressive medical or surgical management.

Combined surgical repair and venous sinus stenting for patients with skull base encephaloceles secondary to dural venous sinus stenosis

BACKGROUND

Chronically elevated intracranial pressure (ICP) seen in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can cause the development of skull base encephaloceles and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks. Surgical repair and ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) placement are mainstays of treatment. Venous sinus stenting (VSS) is a newly accepted treatment modality. The goal of this study was thus to determine if VSS can be used to treat symptoms and prevent recurrence after surgical encephalocele repair.

METHODS

Retrospective chart review of patients that had surgical repair of encephaloceles followed by VSS for symptomatic stenosis with elevated pressure gradient.

RESULTS

A total of 13 patients underwent a combined encephalocele repair and VSS. Seventy-two percent were female; 46% had headaches, 69% pulsatile tinnitus, and 92% CSF rhinorrhea or otorrhea. One had seizures. Mean lumbar opening pressure was 23.3 ± 2.6 cm H2O; the average sagittal-to-jugular pressure gradient was 12.7 ± 1.8 cmH2O and was elevated in all patients. Four patients had middle fossa craniotomy for repair of tegmen defect (one bilateral); one had a retrosigmoid craniotomy for repair of a sigmoid plate defect. Eight had an endoscopic endonasal repair for sphenoid or cribriform plate encephalocele. There were no VSS procedural complications or complications associated with dual antiplatelet therapy. One patient had meningitis after endoscopic repair that was treated with antibiotics. One patient had recurrence of both CSF leak and venous stenosis adjacent to the stent requiring repeat repair and VSS. There was no further recurrence.

CONCLUSION

In patients with dural sinus stenosis and encephaloceles requiring repair, VSS can be performed safely within weeks of surgery for relief of symptoms, resolution of underlying pathology, and prevention of CSF leak recurrence.

Gastric perforation from a migrating ventriculoperitoneal shunt: A case report and review of literature

Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts represent a surgical option for patients affected by increased intracranial hypertension when medical management fails or is contraindicated. Complications following implantation include shunt obstruction, infection, over and under drainage, migration or disconnection of the tube, formation of a pseudocyst, and allergy to the silicone tube. We report the case of a 31-year-old woman who presented to the emergency room with nausea and generalized malaise, found to have the distal segment of the VP catheter perforating her gastric wall into the stomach lumen which required surgical intervention. In this report, we describe a rare complication associated with the implantation of ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) catheters and the subsequent management plan.