Conditions We Treat

• ​Cerebrospinal fluid hypotension
• Chiari malformation
• Headaches from intracranial hypertension
• ​​Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• Intracranial arteriovenous fistula
• Normal pressure hydrocephalus
• Pseudotumor cerebri
• Pulsatile tinnitus
• Spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak
• ​​V​enous sinus disorders (thrombosis or compression)

Treatments We Offer

• Lumbar puncture and imaging to diagnose intracranial hypertension
• Medical management of intracranial hypertension
• Nerve sheath fenestration, shunt or stent surgery to reduce intracranial hypertension

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I set up an appointment?

In order to schedule an appointment, we need your previous clinic notes, radiology reports and a ​​disc containing your scans. You will also need a referral from another doctor before receiving care at the USC Intracranial Pressure Center of Excellence.

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Can I be seen without a referral?

Unfortunately, no. Disorders of intracranial pressure are uncommon, but symptoms like headache and vision changes are very common. We require evaluation and referral by another physician before we can schedule your appointment at the USC Intracranial Pressure Center of Excellence.

How will you decide which doctors I see?

We will review your notes and scans from the referring doctor in order to identify the best doctor for you to see. This process takes time, and our clinic is in high demand, but we will see you as soon as possible and schedule an urgent appointment, if necessary. If you ever become concerned that your condition is an emergency, and you can’t wait for an appointment, call 911 or go to the emergency room for a more rapid evaluation.

How will you confirm that I have intracranial hypertension?

To confirm the diagnosis of intracranial hypertension, our doctors will need a thorough description of your symptoms. A close examination of your neurological function and your eyes will be necessary. Tests of your vision, including a visual field and optical coherence tomography, will help determine whether any visual changes are due to high intracranial pressure or an alternative cause. A scan of your head will be needed to evaluate for changes in your brain, optic nerves or skull. Finally, most patients will need a lumbar puncture to confirm that the pressure in the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord is actually high.

What should I bring to my first appointment?

In order to diagnose your condition and avoid repeating tests or procedures, bring records of visits with previous providers. While patients are often told that records will be sent to Keck Medicine of USC, this often isn’t the case. If possible, bring copies of any CT or MRI scans on a disc. We want to use the best information to support your care, so please bring paper copies of your results or discs containing your scans to your appointment with us.