Evaluation of Magnetic Resonance Findings of Circumventricular Organs in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Patients

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is the increased pressure with normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) composition, not due to a secondary cause. However, the need for lumbar puncture, an invasive method in diagnosis, leads to research on noninvasive diagnostic methods. This study aims to examine the role of the size of the pituitary gland and the previously unevaluated pineal gland in radiological diagnosis in patients with IIH. Materials and methods: The study retrospectively included 57 patients aged 18-80 years, who were followed up in our clinic with the diagnosis of IIH, and 52 control patients without central nervous system disease and cranial MR pathology. CSF pressure measurement values, CSF biochemistry, and cytology examinations were recorded as a result of lumbar puncture performed in the lateral decubitus position of all patients. In addition, the pineal gland and pituitary dimensions were measured by a neuroradiologist on cranial MR imaging of both groups. Results: Pituitary gland height, anteroposterior (AP), and transverse dimensions were found to be significantly lower in the IIH patient group than in the control group (p<0.05). There were a significant reduction in pineal gland AP and height measurements in the IIH patient group compared to the control group. Still, we found no significant difference between the two groups in transverse measurements (p>0.05). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that measurement of pituitary and pineal gland sizes in neuroimaging may be a guide as a noninvasive method in diagnosing and treating IIH.