Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a
syndrome of unknown etiology resulting in increased
intracranial pressure (ICP). Traditional options for medically
refractory patients are CSF diversion or optic nerve sheath
fenestration (ONSF).
Objective: to evaluate lumbo-peritoneal shunts in the treatment
of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).
Patients and methods: A prospective clinical cohort study
which including twenty two patients fulfilling the modified
Dandy criteria for the diagnosis of IIH and were medically
refractory underwent a lumbo-peritoneal shunt and were
followed up for mean 26.5±3.23 months in Benha University
hospital.
Results: headache improved in ten patients (45.5%). Gradual
resolution of papilloedema occurred with complete resolution of
papilloedema in 4(18.2%), 14(63.6%) and 22(100%) patients at
2, 3 and 4 weeks postoperative respectively which is statistically
significant.
Conclusion: Lumbo-peritoneal shunts are effective in treating
idiopathic intracranial hypertension with transient and even mild
complications.