A Possible Role for Temporary Lumbar Drainage in the Management of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

ABSTRACT

This paper reports 14 patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) who experienced immediate and sustained resolution of their IIH; 13 in the setting of a low-pressure headache and 1 who underwent lumbar drainage for 4 days draining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) at a rate of 5–15 mL/h. These observations, if confirmed, suggest that draining CSF using a temporary lumbar drain draining CSF at a rate greater than it is produced may potentially have a pivotal role in the management of IIH.

KEYWORDS:

• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• low-pressure headache
• lumbar drain
• lumbar puncture
• transverse sinus stenting

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.