Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40389826›Full record

ArticleThe journal of headache and pain2025

The impact of CSF venous fistula embolization on patient's quality of life, a longitudinal clinical-radiological exploration.

Malo Goapper, Liesjet E H van Dokkum, Vincent Costalat, Gaetano Risi, Lucas Corti, Olivia Portalier, Nicolas Lonjon, Emmanuelle Le Bars, Anne Ducros, Federico Cagnazzo

Abstract read
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Article in The journal of headache and pain, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors.

Malo GoapperNeuroradiology department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Liesjet E H van DokkumNeuroradiology department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Vincent CostalatNeuroradiology department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Gaetano RisiNeuroradiology department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Lucas CortiNeurology Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Olivia PortalierNeuroradiology department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Nicolas LonjonNeurosurgery Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Emmanuelle Le BarsInstitut d'Imagerie Fonctionnelle Humaine, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, I2FH, France.
Anne DucrosNeurology Department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France.
Federico CagnazzoNeuroradiology department, Montpellier University Hospital, Gui de Chauliac, Montpellier, France. f-cagnazzo@chu-montpellier.fr.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundTransvenous Onyx embolization of cerebrospinal fluid-venous fistulas (CSFVF) is an emerging and effective treatment for symptomatic spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH). This condition significantly impacts patients' quality of life (QoL) through a variety of debilitating symptoms.

methodsPatients were selected from a prospective database of individuals with CSFVF who underwent transvenous Onyx embolization. All participants were asked to complete 13 questionnaires assessing their QoL, before and three months after treatment. Clinical and radiological data were retrospectively collected from the database, and the impact of embolization was evaluated across multiple variables. Correlations and stepwise regression analyses were used to explore relationships between QoL and specific domains including headache, audio-vestibular and psychological symptoms, and spiritual well-being.

resultsThe study included 30 patients (mean age: 60.4 ± 14.1; female-to-male ratio: 2:1) diagnosed with SIH and CSFVF, that were treated successfully with Onyx embolization. There was no treatment-related morbidity. All 28 patients with headache reported symptom improvement, with 64% achieving complete resolution. The response rate was 100% for VAS-QoL, HIT-6, MIDAS grade, VAS-HI, and monthly headache days; lower rates were observed for SF-36 (56.6%), MSQ (96.7%), DHI and THI (90%), and psychological questionnaires (80-90%). Global QoL scores (VAS-QoL: p < 0.001, SF-36: p < 0.05) and QoL scores related to headache significantly improved post-treatment (HIT-6: p = 0.0119; MSQ: p = 0.0004; MIDAS: p = 0.0236). Psychological symptoms like depression and anxiety significantly decreased, while suicidal ideation resolved when present. Significant audio-vestibular QoL improvements were noted for dizziness (p = 0.002) and hearing disturbances (p = 0.021), but not for tinnitus (p = 0.101). MRI findings showed a significant reduction in SIH-related brain abnormalities (mean Bern-score: 6.3 ± 1.9 to 1.7 ± 1.5 post-treatment). However, changes in overall Bern-scores did not correlate with clinical variables, although brain sagging showed a trend toward correlation with headache intensity reduction (r = 0.37, p = 0.06).

conclusionCSFVF embolization is associated with significant radiological and clinical improvements, leading to enhanced global quality of life for patients with SIH.

Indexed as

Embolization, TherapeuticIntracranial HypotensionQuality of LifeAdultAgedFemaleHeadacheHumansLongitudinal StudiesMaleMiddle AgedRetrospective StudiesTreatment OutcomeCSFVFEmbolizationHeadacheQuality of lifeSpontaneous intracranial hypotension

Identifiers

PMID40389826
PMCPMC12087204

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LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.