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J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg 2015; 76(01): 76-78
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1373662
Case Report
Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Patient-Controlled Intracranial Pressure for Managing Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Melissa C. Werndle
1   Department of Neurosurgery, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
,
Elizabeth Newling-Ward
2   St. Mary's University College, Twickenham, School of Sport, Health and Applied Science, London, United Kingdom
,
Marios C. Papadopoulos
1   Department of Neurosurgery, St. George's University of London, London, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History

25 May 2013

16 January 2014

Publication Date:
12 May 2014 (online)

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Abstract

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a difficult condition to manage. We present a novel treatment that substantially improved the headaches and reduced admissions and shunt revision surgery in a patient. We inserted a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, performed subtemporal craniectomies, and instructed our patient to apply different sized headbands to allow her to anticipate and control her own intracranial pressure: a tight headband for low-pressure headaches; no band for high-pressure headaches. Magnetic resonance imaging and intracranial pressure monitoring revealed this was not a placebo effect.

Keywords

benign intracranial hypertension - decompressive craniectomy - ventriculoperitoneal shunt
 

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