Diffuse brain oedema in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a quantitative magnetic resonance imaging study

Objectives: To investigate the hypothesis that idiopathic intracranial hypertension is associated with diffuse brain oedema, using quantitative magnetic resonance imaging. Methods: Values for the mean diffusivity of water () and the proton longitudinal relaxation time (T1) were measured for various brain regions in 10 patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension and 10 age, sex, and weight matched controls. Results: No significant differences in and T1 values were found between patient and control groups in any of the brain regions investigated. Conclusions: The results suggest that idiopathic intracranial hypertension is not associated with abnormalities of convective transependymal water flow leading to diffuse brain oedema.