Optical coherence tomography measurements of the optic nerve head and retina in newly diagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension without loss of vision

Abstract

Aim: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterized by elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), usually in young, obese women with no circulatory pathology. We investigated the relationship between optical coherence tomography (OCT) measurements and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure in newly diagnosed IIH patients who have not been treated yet. Material and methods: The study included 19 individuals diagnosed with IIH and 22 healthy individuals in the control group. We measured the retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL), fovea (F) and ganglion cell complex (GCC) thickness as well as the optic nerve head parameters in both groups. Results: The mean RNFL and F thicknesses were significantly higher in the patient group compared to the control group (P < 0.01). There was no statistical difference in mean GCC thickness between the patient and control groups. When RNFL thickness was compared by quadrant, the IIH patients had significantly higher values in all quadrants. In the patient group, the parameters that correlated positively with CSF opening pressure were papilloedema grade (rho = 0.869, P < 0.01), duration of symptoms (rho = 0.458, P = 0.049) and body mass index (rho = 0.653, P = 0.002). Conclusion: Increased peripapillary RNFL and F thickness measured by OCT is associated with elevated ICP in newly diagnosed IIH patients. OCT may thus serve as a valuable supplement to the subjective assessment of papilloedema in patients suspected of having IIH. © 2019, Czech Medical Association J.E. Purkyne. All rights reserved.