Optic Nerve Head and Retinal Changes in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: Correlation with Short-Term Cerebrospinal Fluid Pressure Monitoring

Abstract

Background: We aimed to assess the status of the optic nerve and retina by optical coherence tomography (OCT) in a group of patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) on the basis of dynamic changes in intracranial pressure. Methods: This observational and cross-sectional study included patients affected by idiopathic intracranial hypertension with papilledema (IIHWP) and patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension without papilledema (IIHWOP). All participants underwent an OCT examination of the macula and optic nerve head. Parameters related to intracranial pressure, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure (oCSFp), CSF mean pressure (mCSFp), and pulse wave amplitude (PWA), were included in the analysis. Results: Out of the 22 subjects enlisted for the study, a total of 16 patients suggestive of IIH were finally enrolled. Papilledema was detected in nine subjects (56.2%) and seven patients were affected by IIHWOP (43.7%). The OCT examination showed a higher mean RNFL thickness in IIHWP patients in comparison to IIHWOP in both eyes (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). Intracranial pressure (ICP) measurements showed that IIHWP had higher values of oCSFp, mCSFp, and PWA compared to IIHWOP (p = 0.0001, p = 0.0001, and p = 0.0001, respectively). In addition, ICP parameters significantly correlated with RNFL. Conclusions: Clinical parameters suggestive of idiopathic intracranial hypertension are associated with retina and optic nerve OCT parameters. OCT is a useful tool to detect these alterations in a non-invasive fashion.