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Benign intracranial hypertension
1University of California, Davis.
Insights
Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) causes vision loss in young people. Diagnosis involves clinical assessment and excluding brain masses, with treatments focused on reducing intracranial pressure.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Benign intracranial hypertension (BIH) is a significant cause of progressive visual loss.
- It particularly affects children and young adults, necessitating timely diagnosis and management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the diagnostic and therapeutic approaches for benign intracranial hypertension.
- To highlight the typical clinical course and prognosis of the condition.
Main Methods:
- Diagnosis relies on clinical presentation, exclusion of intracranial masses via radiography, and cerebrospinal fluid pressure measurement.
- Treatment strategies focus on reducing intracranial pressure, addressing underlying causes, and managing symptoms.
Main Results:
- Idiopathic BIH is managed by reducing intracranial pressure using medications like carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, diuretics, and steroids.
- Surgical intervention is reserved for cases with rapid vision loss or treatment-resistant conditions.
Conclusions:
- Benign intracranial hypertension is generally a self-limited condition, with most cases resolving within 12 months.
- Effective management involves a combination of medical and, in select cases, surgical interventions to preserve vision.
Abstract:
Benign intracranial hypertension is a cause of progressive visual loss in children and young adults. Diagnosis is primarily clinical and requires radiographic exclusion of an intracranial mass and measurement of cerebrospinal fluid pressure. Treatment is directed at reducing intracranial pressure in idiopathic cases or correcting associated conditions. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics and steroids have been used for treatment. Adjunctive surgery may be indicated in cases of rapid vision loss or if medical treatment fails. Benign intracranial hypertension tends to be self-limited, with a course of less than 12 months in most cases.