Spontaneous Skull Base Cerebrospinal Fluid Leaks and Their Relationship to Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Background The association between spontaneous skull base cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leaks and idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has been suggested, but its significance remains unclear. Objective To estimate the prevalence of IIH in spontaneous skull base CSF leak patients. Methods Systematic collection of demographics, neuro-ophthalmic and magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of spontaneous skull base CSF leak patients seen pre- and post-leak repair in one neuro-ophthalmology service. Patients with preexisting IIH were diagnosed with definite IIH if adequate documentation was provided; otherwise, they were categorized with presumed IIH. Classic radiographic signs of intracranial hypertension and bilateral transverse venous sinus stenosis were recorded. Results Thirty six patients were included (age [interquartile range]: 50 [45;54] years; 94% women; body mass index: 36.8 [30.5;39.9] kg/m2), among whom six (16.7%, [95% confidence interval, CI]: [6.4;32.8]) had a preexisting diagnosis of definite or presumed IIH. Of the remaining 30 patients, four (13.3%, 95%CI: [3.8;30.7]) had optic nerve head changes suggesting previously undiagnosed IIH, while one was newly diagnosed with definite IIH at initial consultation. One out of 29 patients with normal findings of the optic nerve head at presentation developed new onset papilledema following surgery (3.4%, 95%CI: [0.1;17.8]) and was ultimately diagnosed with definite IIH. Overall, the prevalence of definite IIH was 19.4% (95%CI: [8.2;36.0]). Conclusion Striking demographic overlap exists between IIH patients and those with spontaneous CSF leak. Definite IIH was present in approximately 20% of our patients. However, its true prevalence is likely higher than identified by using classic criteria. We therefore hypothesize that an active CSF leak serves as an auto-diversion for CSF, thereby treating the intracranial hypertension and eliminating characteristic signs and symptoms at initial presentation.

Automated summary

Around 20% of spontaneous skull base cerebrospinal fluid leak patients have definite idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), suggesting a potential underestimation in prevalence using classic criteria. Researchers hypothesize that an active CSF leak may act as an auto-diversion of CSF, treating intracranial hypertension and masking characteristic signs and symptoms at initial presentation.