Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Question 1

What are the risk factors for idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

Answer 1

Female
Overweight
Pregnancy

Certain drugs for intracranial hypertension but not idiopathic obviously -
Doxycycline and other tetracyclines used for acne
Steroids
Vit A
Lithium

Question 2

What are the features of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

Answer 2

Headache
Blurred vision
Papilloedema
Enlarged blind spot
Sixth nerve palsy may be present

Question 3

What is the management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension?

Answer 3

Weight loss
Diuretics- acetazolamide
Topiramate (added benefit of causing weight loss)
Repeated lumbar puncture
Surgery- optic nerve sheath decompression and fenestration may be needed to prevent damage to the optic nerve
Lumboperitoneal or ventriculoperitoneal shunt may be done to reduce intracranial pressure