Publication:

Transverse sinus stenosis distribution in refractory chronic headache patients in Pelni hospital

Background Transverse sinus stenosis (TSS) is a common finding on MRI of patients with refractory chronic headaches. Bilateral TSS with severity >50% was found in almost all (93%) patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). IIH can lead to papilledema and result in loss of visual function. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of TSS in patients with refractory chronic headache at Pelni hospital, Jakarta.

Methods This was a descriptive analytical study and conducted at Pelni hospital, Jakarta from January to June 2021, with a sample of patients suffering from refractory chronic headaches. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 24.

Results There were 70 subjects, with a mean age of 52.97±13.29, the majority aged <60 years (65.7%), with the male sex being more dominant (62.9%). There were 39 people (55.7%) with TSS; as many as 37 with (52.9%) left TSS and 2 (2.8%) with right TSS. Bivariate analysis with Chi square showed no relationship between age and sex with the presence of TSS in patients with refractory chronic headache (p=0.798 and p=0.487).

Conclusions TSS was associated with the incidence of IIH. However, this finding has not yet been proven to be significant. This study also did not find a correlation between age and gender with the incidence of TSS.