- Indentation and Transverse Diameter of the Meckel Cave: Imaging Markers to Diagnose Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the shape (bilobed or indented appearance of the Meckel cave) or the size/volume of the Meckel cave on T2-weighted MRI could serve as a noninvasive diagnostic imaging marker for the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. The authors studied 75 patients with a diagnosis of IIH and 75 age-and sex-matched healthy controls. The transverse diameter of the Meckel cave was measured in the axial and coronal planes of T2-weighted MRI, and comparison was made between the 2 groups. Of 75 patients with an approved diagnosis of IIH, 57 (76%) showed an indented Meckel cave as opposed to 21 (28%) in the control group. They conclude that the shape and size of the Meckel cave can be used as sensitive and specific diagnostic imaging markers for the diagnosis of IIH.