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What is idiopathic intercranial hypertension? Idiopathic intercranial hypertension (IIH), also known as a pseudotumor cerebri, is a condition characterised by high pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) without any identifiable cause revealed by imaging examinations. It is more common in women of childbearing age or who are overweight. SymptomsThe symptoms of IIH include:Severe and persistent headaches, often worse when lying down.Blurred or double vision.Temporary loss of vision.Ringing in the ears (pulsatile tinnitus).Nausea and vomiting.Swelling of the optic nerve   (papillary oedema) visible during an ophthalmological examination. Treatment Imaging examinationsTo identify IIH and exclude other causes a number of imaging examinations are carried out:  Brain MRI: to visualise the brain structures and  exclude anomalies such as tumours or malformationsMagnetic Resonance Angiography (MRA): to evaluate the cerebral veins and rule out a cerebrovascular thrombosis.  A CT scan of the brain: sometimes used in an emergency to rule out other causes of high intracranial pressure.Medical pathwayPatients with IIL need to consult  number of specialists for comprehensive treatment as a matter of urgency to avoid any deterioration of  the visual function: GP: for an initial assessment of symptoms and to direct the patient to the appropriate specialists.  Neurologist: principal specialist in diagnosing and managing IIH.  Ophthalmologist: to evaluate the effects of the IIH on vision and to monitor the papillary oedema.  Neuroradiologist: to interpret the brain imaging examinations.Neurosurgeon or interventional neuroradiologist: if surgery or endovascular intervention is necessary.TreatmentIIH treatment seeks to reduce the intracranial pressure and prevent any loss of vision:  Weight loss: recommended for overweight patients, this is often effective in alleviating symptoms.Medicines:  Acetazolamide: A diuretic that reduces the production of CSF and is a first line treatment with a high level of evidence.  Repeated lumbar punctures: to drain off excess CSF and used in the case of severe symptoms.  Surgery:  Optic nerve decompression: to prevent irreversible loss of vision in the case of severe papillary oedema.  Cerebrospinal shunt: to drain off the CSF if other treatments fail.  Interventional neuroradiology: venous sinus stenting to improve drainage of venous blood and reduce intracranial pressure when these veins narrow.  Multidisciplinary discussion  IIH management requires a multidisciplinary approach that includes meetings between neurologists, ophthalmologists, interventional neuroradiologists, neurosurgeons and other health professionals to discuss complex cases and coordinate treatment  Follow upThe monitoring of IIH patients is crucial and includes:  Regular vision monitoring: by an ophthalmologist to detect any deterioration.  Neurological monitoring: to assess the effectiveness of treatment and make adjustments when necessary.  Regular weight evaluations: plus dietary advice for overweight patients.Regular imaging examinations: to monitor intracranial pressure and the condition of brain structures.The follow up is carried out by a multidisciplinary team to optimise the clinical results and improve the quality of life of patients.  Discover our Interventional NeuroRadiology Department Our specialists Prendre rendez-vous

Our role Medical imaging is a set of techniques that make it possible to visualise the anatomy and detect and/or characterise pathological lesions and/or monitor lesions during treatment or following surgery.    Image Image Radiologists are also increasingly specialising in therapeutic and surgical acts under radiological control. Pr Niloufar Sadeghi Meibodi Head of the Diagnostic Medical Imaging Department at the Erasmus Hospital Our specialities The Diagnostic Medical Imaging Department is organised within 5 specialised clinics that correspond to different parts of the human body:   The Neuroradiology and Head and Neck Imaging Department has recognised expertise in the diagnosis and monitoring of  brain tumours, neurological diseases such as epilepsy and multiple sclerosis, and neurovascular diseases of the stroke variety as well as imaging in the ENT field.  The Osteoarticular Imaging Clinic treats traumas (in athletes and high level athletes in particular) and rheumatic pathologies.   The Abdominal Imaging Clinic treats the vast field of pathologies affecting the organs of the abdominal cavity: liver, pancreas, spleen, intestines, kidneys and urinary ducts.  The Thoracic Imaging Clinic treats pathologies of the lungs, mediastinum and heart.   The Women’s Imaging Clinic screens for and monitors breast cancers and also carries out imaging of the female pelvis.   The department has a number of high tech devices :  4 MRI scanners including 2 of 3 Tesla scanners,  4 CT scanners,  6 ultrasound machines, 4 standard radiology tables and 1 digestive radiology table, 4 mobile radiology machines, 1 mammography unit and 2 ultrasounds dedicated to breast imaging.    Our team Image Our specialist doctors Image Focus The Diagnostic Medical Imaging Department at the Erasmus Hospital has recognised expertise in a number of fields and diseases and in neuro-oncology in particular. Before operating on a brain tumour, using an MRI 3 Tesla for example, so-called functional imaging and tractography (visual representation of nerve tracts) make it possible to map and thereby avoid the functional zones (motor, language, et.) during   neurosurgery.   Image Research The Diagnostic Medical Imaging Department at the Erasmus Hospital participates in many clinic studies. It cooperates, among others, with the Neurosciences Department,  the  Neurosurgery, Rheumatology and Orthopaedic Departments and the Abdominal and Thoracic Medico-Surgical Departments.  Publications BOLD fMRI and DTI fiber tracking for preoperative mapping of eloquent cerebral regions in brain tumor patients: impact on surgical approach and outcome. Authors : Lolli VE, Coolen T, Sadeghi N, Voordecker P, Lefranc F.Journal : eurol Sci. 2023 Aug;44(8):2903-2914. doi: 10.1007/s10072-023-06667-2. Epub 2023 Mar 14.PMID: 36914833  Can quantified diffusion-weighted imaging predict histopathological features of liver tumors? Authors : Metens TJournal : Eur Radiol. 2023 Jun 30. doi: 10.1007/s00330-023-09791-x. Online ahead of print.PMID: 37391623 No abstract available.  Detection of cerebral hypoperfusion with a dynamic hyperoxia test using brain oxygenation pressure monitoring Authors : Gargadennec T, Ferraro G, Chapusette R, Chapalain X, Bogossian E, Van Wettere M, Peluso L, Creteur J, Huet O, Sadeghi N, Taccone FJournal : S.Crit Care. 2022 Feb 7;26(1):35. doi: 10.1186/s13054-022-03918-0.PMID: 35130953  Endoscopic internal drainage of complex bilomas and biliary leaks by transmural or transpapillary/transfistulary access Authors : Lorenzo D, Bromberg L, Arvanitakis M, Delhaye M, Fernandez Y Viesca M, Blero D, Pezzullo M, Racapé J, Lucidi V, Le Moine O, Devière J, Lemmers AJournal : Gastrointest Endosc. 2022 Jan;95(1):131-139.e6. doi: 10.1016/j.gie.2021.07.016. Epub 2021 Jul 24.PMID: 34310921

Wheelchairs are available for you and your loved ones. You will need a 1 euro coin. You will find wheelchairs at:    Volunteers’ reception, near the information office in the hospital’s main hall Outside the entrance to the Bucopa building  In the Erasmus covered car park  At the Day Hospital  During the week volunteers are available to assist you when moving around the hospital.  Access and organisation of the hospital are designed for people with reduced mobility

The Erasmus Hospital for care that is accessible to all Since 1977 the Erasmus Hospital has been proposing general care adapted to the individual patient. With a capacity of 1,048 beds, every year it is able to treat between 25,000 and 30,000 hospitalised patients and between 350,000 and 400,000 who attend for consultations as outpatients.    Also recognised as a Belgian reference centre for 12 rare diseases and member of several European reference networks, the hospital is situated on the Erasmus hospital and university campus in Anderlecht. The campus is also home to the Jules Bordet Institute, the Faculty of Medicine of the Université Libre de Bruxelles, the Faculty of Motor Sciences and the School of Public Health.    Two internal centres (the Erasmus Medical Centre – EMC and the Erasmus Imedia Centre), an external polyclinic (Lothier) and two external centres (Trauma and Rehabilitation Centre – CTR and the Geriatric Rehabilitation Centre – CRG) complete the patient care.    The Erasmus Hospital within the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B.) Since 2021 the Erasmus Hospital has been a part of the Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B.), alongside the Jules Bordet Institute and the Queen Fabiola University Children's Hospital. These three renowned institutions have the same ambition to improve intra-hospital cooperation and to guarantee optimal care pathways while retaining their individual identities. Each is recognised nationally and internationally for their high quality care at the leading edge of technology and for their projects and medical innovation, whether in the field of oncology, paediatrics or specialised treatment. By bringing together these individual hospitals within an umbrella structure, the patient is guaranteed a complete care pathway.    The Erasmus Hospital in figures 986 beds Between 25 000 and 30 000 hospitalisations a year Between 350 000 and 400 000 consultations a year Our history Since it was founded in 1977, the Erasmus Hospital has continuously developed its activities with the sole aim of guaranteeing high quality care for patients. As a university hospital, the development of infrastructures on the campus is also a priority.    Discover the history of the Erasmus Hospital :  1977 : Inauguration of the Erasmus Hospital and its first 27 beds   1982 : Creation of the Erasmus Fund for medical research   1989 : Signing of the quality charter with the aim of improving the quality of all the hospital's activities, for patients and staff  1991 : Inauguration of the Faculty of Medicine on the campus  2004 : Inauguration of the new Day Hospital   2007 : Inauguration of the Geriatric Day Hospital     2015 : Inauguration of the Lothier Polyclinic in Brussels city centre    2017 : Inauguration of the Trauma and Rehabilitation Centre (CTR) in Laeken    2021 : Grouping of the Erasmus Hospital alongside the Jules Border Institute and Children's Hospital under the name Brussels University Hospital (H.U.B.)    New Erasmus : This major project will make it possible to welcome new modern hospital services while respecting planning and landscaping requirements

What are interstitial pneumonias? Diffuse interstitial pneumonias are a group of relatively rare lung diseases. They are disorders of the lung parenchyma (that is, of the lung itself) with a varying degree of inflammation and fibrosis resulting in a sometimes severe respiratory insufficiency.  The principal pathologies covered by this term are •    Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis •    Sarcoidosis •    Non-specific interstitial pneumonia •    Cryptogenic organising pneumonia •    Lung disorders secondary to autoimmune diseases (connective tissue disease and vasculitis)  •    Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (farmer‘s lung, bird fancier’s lung •    Some pneumonias of occupational origin (exposure to asbestos or to mineral or metal dust) or drug induced Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is the most common disease of this group, together with sarcoidosis. The annual incidence is estimated at 10 new cases for 100,000 persons per year and this figure seems to be rising. In IPF the lung is progressively destroyed and replaced by scar tissue. This results in an irreversible and progressive respiratory insufficiency.  Causes and risk factors Its etiology is unknown but smoking, pollution, exposure to certain viruses and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux are risk factors. There are also family forms in which gene mutations have been clearly identified.  IPF affects more men than women and is generally diagnosed at around the age of 60.  Diagnosis and treatment These diseases are rare and therefore demand particular expertise. The diagnosis is complex and requires a multidisciplinary discussion.  In the case of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis there are two possible treatments: with Esbriet or Ofev. These do not cure the diseases but do make it possible to slow its progress.  If the patient shows no contraindications a lung transplant must be envisaged. In this particular case we work closely together with the lung transplant team. Multidisciplinary meetings are held regularly to discuss complex cases and we have a clinical research unit that permits access to an advanced research programme in this field and patients are invited to participate in international trials to test new treatments.  The Erasmus Hospital is a member of the European experts network in the field of diffuse interstitial pneumonia (ERN lung). We are active in the field of clinical research by providing the opportunity to participate in research protocols and clinical trials.  Finally, we support and participate actively in activities organised by patients’ associations, in particular the   Association Belge Francophone contre la Fibrose Pulmonaire (ABFFP). Useful documents Informations destinées aux patient(e)s Brochure : thérapie par Esbriet (pirfénidone) Brochure : Fibrose Pulmonaire Idiopathique (FPI) Brochure : traitement de votre Fibrose Pulmonaire Idiopathique (FPI) avec OFEV® Requests for opinion Téléchargez le document de demande d'avis de la part du médecin traitant ou spécialiste à destination de la Clinique des pneumopathies interstitielles diffuses. Demande d'avis Multidisciplinary team Découvrez l'équipe multidisciplinaire de la Clinique de Pneumopathies interstitielles et diffuses. Organisation chart Our specialists