Volumetric assessment of optic nerve sheath and hypophysis in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

• Published in: American journal of neuroradiology : AJNR 2014-03, Vol.35 (3), p.513-518
• Main Authors: Hoffmann, J, Schmidt, C, Kunte, H, Klingebiel, R, Harms, L, Huppertz, H-J, Lüdemann, L, Wiener, E
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Brain; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Optic Nerve - pathology; Organ Size; Pituitary Gland - pathology; Pseudotumor Cerebri - pathology; Retrospective Studies; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0195-6108; 1936-959X
• DOI: 10.3174/ajnr.A3694

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a headache syndrome characterized by increased CSF pressure. Compression of the hypophysis and distension of the optic nerve sheath are reliable imaging signs. The purpose of the study was to validate, in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, MR imaging-based volumetric measurements of the optic nerve sheath and hypophysis as an objective observation method for more accurate diagnosis and posttreatment follow-up. Twenty-three patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension as well as age-, sex-, and body mass index-matched controls underwent volumetric measurements of the optic nerve, optic nerve sheath, and hypophysis on high-resolution T2-weighted MR images by using a 7-cm surface coil, followed by correlation with CSF opening pressures and clinical symptom scores of visual disturbances and headache. Mean values of optic nerve sheath (341.86 ± 163.69 mm(3) versus 127.56 ± 53.17 mm(3), P < .001) and hypophysis volumes (554.59 ± 142.82 mm(3) versus 686.60 ± 137.84 mm(3), P < .05) differed significantly between healthy and diseased subjects. No significant differences between mean optic nerve volumes were observed. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed optic nerve sheath volumes of >201.30 mm(3) (sensitivity, 86.96%; specificity, 91.30%) and hypophysis volumes of