Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: expanding our understanding

Abstract

Purpose of review Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) affects predominantly overweight women of childbearing age, causing chronically disabling headaches and visual loss. Weight loss remains the most effective management strategy, but innovative treatments and randomized control trials (RCTs) remain few. This paper will review recent IIH research. Recent findings Pregnancy-related complications, but not losses, are increased in IIH, while symptom severity is not affected. Weight loss of 24% results in normalization of intracranial pressure (ICP) and improvement in papilledema. Prolonged periods of papilledema results in delayed thinning of the ganglion cell layer. Less-invasive telemetry has improved understanding of the positional effects on ICP with rises seen in the supine and lateral decubitus. Exenatide, a GLP-1 agonist, may reduce ICP and improve symptoms. Venous sinus stenting is increasingly popular but its benefits over CSF diversion remains unclear. Summary Early involvement of obstetric care is recommended with pregnancy in IIH. Early intervention is required to avoid chronic papilledema that confers worse visual outcomes. Positional changes may affect ICP readings. The use of novel ICP telemetric devices has significant potential in future disease monitoring. The dual benefits of weight loss and ICP reduction with exenatide have significant potential in IIH management. Surgical RCTs are still required.

Clinical and Radiological Characteristics of Non-Obese Female Patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

“…Patients may also present without papilledema, given other radiographic findings, such as an empty sella and transverse venous sinus stenosis [ 1 ]. IIH can cause severe headaches and vision loss [ 2 ], and is typically found in obese women of a childbearing age [ 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 ]. Given the association with obesity, weight loss is one of the first treatment recommendations given to patients with IIH [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”