A Case Series on Clinical Profile, Risk Factors and Management of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Abstract

Introduction Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) occurs when there is raised intracranial pressure (ICP) of unknown etiology and is diagnosed when all other causes of raised ICP have been excluded1 . IIH most commonly affects women of child-bearing age and overweight women2 . However, men, women of all ages and children of both genders are affected3 . Previously the terms like pseudo tumor cerebri and benign intracranial hypertension were used; however, in view of impending loss of vision it cannot be considered benign. Hence the term IIH is used nowadays. The diagnosis of IIH was made using modified Dandy criteria which includes presence of raised intracranial pressure, papilloedema, normal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and elevated CSF opening pressure with normal CSF composition. In the absence of papilledema, the diagnosis is challenging and requires specific neuroimaging criteria to be fulfilled.