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Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Mr Darren Barton
+44 (0)121 371 8027
d.barton@bham.ac.uk


Dr . IIH Intervention Trial Office
-
IIHIntervention@trials.bham.ac.uk


More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.

Study Location:

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Be Part of Research - Trial Details - IIH Intervention: A clinical trial comparing two treatments (shunts and stents) to preserve vision for people with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

IIH Intervention: A clinical trial comparing two treatments (shunts and stents) to preserve vision for people with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Medical Conditions

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension


This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurological condition characterised by increased pressure inside the skull, called intracranial pressure (ICP). It is more common in women of reproductive age with obesity. Common symptoms of IIH include headaches, blurred vision and ringing in the ears. If left untreated, the disorder may cause blindness. The majority of patients with IIH are managed with weight loss and medications. Fewer than 10% of patients develop progressive visual loss and require urgent intervention to reduce ICP and preserve vision. This trial will compare the two most common interventions performed in the UK and evaluate their clinical and cost-effectiveness. The first is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting and involves a procedure where a thin tube called a shunt is implanted in the body to drain brain fluid. The second is called dural venous sinus stenting (DVSS) and involves a procedure where a metallic mesh tube called a stent is implanted inside a brain blood vessel. Both procedures can preserve vision, but there is no strong evidence to support one over the other. Participants will have the same chance to be treated with CSF shunting or DVSS. The aim of the trial is to know which intervention is the most effective to save the vision and the most cost-effective.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

01 Feb 2023 31 Jul 2025

The trial will be conducted in NHS hospitals located in England, Wales and Scotland. Participants are randomly allocated to undergo cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting or dural venous sinus stenting (DVSS). Afterwards the participants will be asked to attend 11 hospital appointments and one telephone appointment. This follow-up will take 2 years from start to finish. Participants will be closely monitored for any side effects and potential device failure, and for changes in vision, headaches and quality of life. The researchers will also collect health data from NHS Digital (the national custodian of NHS health and social care data).


Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a neurological condition characterised by increased pressure inside the skull, called intracranial pressure (ICP). It is more common in women of reproductive age with obesity. Common symptoms of IIH include headaches, blurred vision and ringing in the ears. If left untreated, the disorder may cause blindness. The majority of patients with IIH are managed with weight loss and medications. Fewer than 10% of patients develop progressive visual loss and require urgent intervention to reduce ICP and preserve vision. This trial will compare the two most common interventions performed in the UK and evaluate their clinical and cost-effectiveness. The first is called cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting and involves a procedure where a thin tube called a shunt is implanted in the body to drain brain fluid. The second is called dural venous sinus stenting (DVSS) and involves a procedure where a metallic mesh tube called a stent is implanted inside a brain blood vessel. Both procedures can preserve vision, but there is no strong evidence to support one over the other. Participants will have the same chance to be treated with CSF shunting or DVSS. The aim of the trial is to know which intervention is the most effective to save the vision and the most cost-effective.

Who can participate?
Adults with a diagnosis of IIH at risk of permanent sight loss

What does the study involve?
The trial will be conducted in NHS hospitals located in England, Wales and Scotland. Participants are randomly allocated to undergo cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) shunting or dural venous sinus stenting (DVSS). Afterwards the participants will be asked to attend 11 hospital appointments and one telephone appointment. This follow-up will take 2 years from start to finish. Participants will be closely monitored for any side effects and potential device failure, and for changes in vision, headaches and quality of life. The researchers will also collect health data from NHS Digital (the national custodian of NHS health and social care data).

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
There are no direct benefits from taking part in the trial but the information gained from this trial may help improve treatment for adults with IIH in the future. Participants may be seen more often and/or feel more supported as a consequence of their involvement in the trial. As with any intervention, there are risks and complications, but there are no additional disadvantages or risks involved in taking part in this trial. Both CSF shunting and stenting are treatments for IIH (shunting is widely used internationally, and in some hospitals, stenting is used as part of the standard of care). Participants require an intervention to prevent sight loss. None of these treatments is experimental but at present, there is not enough information to determine which treatment is most suitable and provides the higher level of health benefits to the individual.

Where is the study run from?
University of Birmingham (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
September 2021 to July 2027

Who is funding the study?
National Institute for Health Research (NIHR, grant number: NIHR131211) (UK)

Who is the main contact?
IIH Intervention Trial manager, IIHIntervention@trials.bham.ac.uk (UK)

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


List of principal criteria:1. Presence of current venous sinus thrombosis on diagnostic brain imaging by either Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Magnetic Resonance Venography (MRV) or Computed Tomography Venography (CTV)2. A completely normal CTV (or MRV) with clear visualisation of the whole sinus with no evidence of stenosis(es)3. Previous surgery for IIH including, optic nerve sheath fenestration, CSF shunting procedures, sub-temporal decompression and DVSS.4. Previous bariatric surgery within the last 3 months5. Patients with a past ophthalmic history affecting the eligible eye(s) that could affect the vision (e.g. prior optic atrophy)6. History of any clinically significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the investigator, may either put the subject at risk because of participation in the study, or influence the results or the subject’s ability to participate in the study7. Have participated in any other interventional study within 1 month prior to the screening visit (of note participation in the IIH Life database or other observational studies will not prevent enrolment in this study)8. Previous randomisation for treatment in the present study9. Pregnant10. Absolute or serious contraindication to standard anti-thrombotic regimen peri- and post-stenting11. Other secondary causes of raised intracranial pressure, including: haematological (e.g. moderate to severe anaemia); causes of venous obstruction (e.g. cerebral venous sinus thrombosis); medications (e.g. quinolones); systemic disorders (e.g. chronic kidney disease); endocrine (e.g. Addison’s disease); and syndromic (See Protocol Appendix 3 for a full list)12. Absolute or serious contraindication for general anaesthesia


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Freeman Hospital
    Freeman Road High Heaton
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    NE7 7DN
  • Royal Sussex County Hospital
    Eastern Road
    Brighton
    BN2 5BE
  • University Hospital of Wales
    Heath Park
    Cardiff
    CF14 4XW
  • St James's University Hospital
    Beckett Street
    Leeds
    LS9 7TF
  • Southampton General Hospital
    Tremona Road
    Southampton
    SO16 6YD
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    Mindelsohn Way Edgbaston
    Birmingham
    B15 2GW
  • Queens Medical Centre
    Derby Road
    Nottingham
    NG7 2UH
  • Hull Royal Infirmary
    Anlaby Road
    Hull
    HU3 2JZ
  • York Hospital
    Wigginton Road
    York
    YO31 8HE
  • Queen Elizabeth University Hospital
    1345 Govan Road
    Glasgow
    G51 4TF
  • Addenbrookes
    Addenbrookes Hospital Hills Road
    Cambridge
    CB2 0QQ
  • Leeds General Infirmary
    Great George Street
    Leeds
    LS1 3EX
  • Kings College Hospital
    Denmark Hill
    London
    SE5 9RS
  • The Royal Victoria Infirmary
    Queen Victoria Road
    Newcastle upon Tyne
    TS1 4LP
  • Sunderland Royal Hospital
    Kayll Road
    Sunderland
    SR4 7TP
  • Worthing Hospital
    Lyndhurst Road
    Worthing
    BN11 2DH
  • Manchester Royal Eye Hospital
    Oxford Road
    Manchester
    M13 9WL
  • St Thomas' Hospital
    Westminster Bridge Road
    London
    SE1 7EH
  • Bristol Eye Hospital
    Lower Maudlin Street
    Bristol
    BS1 2LX
  • National Hospital for Neurology & Neurosurgery
    Queen Square
    London
    WC1N 3BG
  • Sunderland Eye Infirmary
    Queen Alexandra Road
    Sunderland
    SR2 9HP
  • Gartnavel Royal Hospital
    J B Russell House 1055 Great Western Road
    Glasgow
    G12 0XH

This information has not yet been provided by the study team. You'll have an opportunity to discuss any risks and benefits that may be associated with this study prior to consenting to taking part.

Dr . IIH Intervention Trial Office
-
IIHIntervention@trials.bham.ac.uk


Mr Darren Barton
+44 (0)121 371 8027
d.barton@bham.ac.uk



More information about this study, what is involved and how to take part can be found on the study website.


The study is sponsored by University of Birmingham and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.




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Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN57142415

Or CPMS 54221

Last updated 19 December 2024

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