Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Imaging and clinical fundamentals

Table 3 Magnetic resonance imaging signs for the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension

MRI finding	Sensitivity	Specificity	Ref.
Empty sella turcica	53.9%	94.3%	[104]
	26.7%	94.6%	[67]
	70%	95%	[97]
Partially empty sella	92%	74%	[68]
	43%	100%	[69]
	65.1%	95.3%	[70]
	53.3%	75%	[67]
	80%	92%	[76]
Posterior displacement of pituitary stalk	39.5%	90.7%	[70]
	42.7%	97.9%	[76]
Meningoceles	11%	100%	[79]
Meckel’s cave enlargement	60%	59%	[89]
	75%	86%	[68]
	9%	100%	[79]
Optic nerve tortuosity	60%	95%	[69]
	34.9%	86%	[70]
	40%	91.1%	[67]
	40%	95%	[97]
Optic nerve sheath distension	77%	85%	[89]
	84%	84%	[68]
	46%	100%	[69]
	66.7%	82.1%	[67]
	45%	95%	[97]
Optic nerve head enhancement	6.7%	98.2%	[67]
	50%	100%	[97]
Posterior globe flattening	55%	100%	[68]
	64%	100%	[69]
	43.3%	100%	[67]
	80%	95%	[97]
Optic nerve head protrusion	32%	100%	[69]
	37.2%	100%	[70]
	3.3%	100%	[67]
	30%	95%	[97]
DWI bright spot at fundus	9.5%	99%	[104]
	26.3%	100%	[103] (reader 1)
	42.1%	100%	[103] (reader 1)
Transverse sinus stenosis	73%	92%	[68]
	93%	93%	[107]
	94%	97%	[104]
	62.8%	100%	[70] (combined stenosis score)
Slit-like ventricles	3%	100%	[69]
	3.3%	100%	[67]
	39.5%	79.1%	[70]
Tight subarachnoid spaces	3%	100%	[69]
	0%	0%	[67]
Inferior position of cerebellar tonsils	16%1	95%1	[78]

¹Pooled data.

MRI: Magnetic resonance imaging; DWI: Diffusion-weighted imaging.