Comparing Transverse Sinus Stenosis in Lateral Skull Base Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the prevalence and patterns of transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) in patients with lateral skull base spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid (sCSF) leaks and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), to clarify its role in leak pathogenesis and implications for venous-directed therapies.

STUDY

DESIGN

Retrospective case-control study.

SETTING

Single tertiary care institution.

PATIENTS: Adults with lateral skull base sCSF leaks confirmed by clinical, laboratory, or surgical findings, and adults with IIH without cranial CSF leaks meeting Modified Dandy criteria.

INTERVENTION: Independent magnetic resonance venography evaluation by 2 fellowship-trained neuroradiologists.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence, laterality, and severity of TSS.

RESULTS

Eighteen patients with sCSF leaks and 78 patients with IIH were included. The rate of individual TSS, including both unilateral and bilateral cases, was higher in the IIH cohort than in the sCSF leak cohort (bilateral TSS: n=66, 84.6% vs. n=6, 33.3%; P <0.001). Severe bilateral TSS was observed more in the IIH cohort (n=40, 51.3%) compared with the sCSF leak cohort (n=1, 5.6%; P <0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Though patients with lateral skull base sCSF leaks have TSS, the significantly lower rate compared with patients with IIH suggests that TSS may play a lesser role in the pathogenesis of lateral skull base defects. These findings indicate that the role of transverse sinus stenting in lateral skull base sCSF leaks remains uncertain and highlight the need to further investigate local remodeling processes when considering the role of venous sinus stenting in this population.