Diffusion tensor imaging of benign intracranial hypertension: absence of cerebral oedema

• Published in: British journal of neurosurgery Vol. 20; no. 2; pp. 79 - 81
• Main Authors: Owler, B. K., Higgins, J. N. P., Péna, A., Carpenter, T. A., Pickard, J. D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Informa UK Ltd 01.04.2006; Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adult; Benign intracranial hypertension; Biological and medical sciences; Brain; Brain - pathology; Brain Edema - complications; Brain Edema - diagnosis; Brain Edema - pathology; cerebral oedema; diffusion tensor imaging; Humans; Hypertension; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Intracranial Hypertension - etiology; Intracranial Hypertension - pathology; Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical imaging; Medical sciences; Neurology; Neurosurgery; pseudotumour cerebri; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Pseudotumor; Nervous system diseases; Diffusion imaging; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Cerebral disorder; Diffusion tensor; Surgery; Central nervous system disease; Tumor; diffusion tensor imaging; Benign intracranial hypertension; Cerebral edema; cerebral oedema; pseudotumour cerebri
• ISSN: 0268-8697; 1360-046X
• DOI: 10.1080/02688690600682317

Cerebral oedema, it has been suggested, may have a role in the pathophysiology of benign intracranial hypertension (BIH). We applied diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI), a technique able to detect cerebral oedema, to the study of patients with BIH. A quantitative regional analysis of diffusion parameters (trace and relative anisotropy) was conducted by comparing five BIH patients and six healthy controls. A small but significant increase in anisotropy accompanied by a small but significant decrease in trace was found in the putamen and head of the caudate nucleus. No significant changes were demonstrated in the thalamus, cerebral white matter or cortical regions. Our findings support other recent work that suggests cerebral oedema is not a factor in the pathogenesis of BIH.