| Idiopathic intracranial hypertension | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH),[1] pseudotumor cerebri (PTC)[2] |
 | |
| For the diagnosis, brain scans (such as MRI) should be done to rule out other potential causes. | |
| Specialty | Neurology |
| Symptoms | Headache, vision problems, ringing in the ears with the heartbeat[1][2] |
| Complications | Vision loss[2] |
| Usual onset | 20–50 years old[2] |
| Risk factors | Hypervitaminosis A, obesity, tetracyclines[1][2] |
| Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, lumbar puncture, brain imaging[1][2] |
| Differential diagnosis | Brain tumor, arachnoiditis, meningitis[3] |
| Treatment | Healthy diet, salt restriction, exercise, surgery[2] |
| Medication | Acetazolamide[2] |
| Prognosis | Variable[2] |
| Frequency | 2 per 100,000 per year[4] |
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), previously known as pseudotumor cerebri and benign intracranial hypertension, is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure (pressure around the brain) without a detectable cause.[2] The main symptoms are headache, vision problems, ringing in the ears, and shoulder pain.[1][2] Complications may include vision loss.[2]
This condition is idiopathic, meaning there is no known cause. Risk factors include being overweight or a recent increase in weight.[1] Tetracycline may also trigger the condition.[2] The diagnosis is based on symptoms and a high opening pressure found during a lumbar puncture with no specific cause found on a brain scan.[1][2]
Treatment includes a healthy diet, salt restriction, and exercise.[2] The medication acetazolamide may also be used along with the above measures.[2] A small percentage of people may require surgery to relieve the pressure.[2]
About 2 per 100,000 people are newly affected per year.[4] The condition most commonly affects women aged 20–50.[2] Women are affected about 20 times more often than men.[2] The condition was first described in 1897.[1]
- ^ a b c d e f g h Wall, M (February 2017). "Update on Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension". Neurologic Clinics. 35 (1): 45–57. doi:10.1016/j.ncl.2016.08.004. PMC 5125521. PMID 27886895.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s "Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension". National Eye Institute. April 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ "Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension". NORD (National Organization for Rare Disorders). 2015. Retrieved 8 November 2017.
- ^ a b Wakerley, BR; Tan, MH; Ting, EY (March 2015). "Idiopathic intracranial hypertension". Cephalalgia: An International Journal of Headache. 35 (3): 248–61. doi:10.1177/0333102414534329. PMID 24847166. S2CID 28592337.