Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension from Benign to Fulminant: Diagnostic and Management Issues

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) primarrily affects obese women of childbearing years and is commonly associated with headaches, pulsatile tinnitus, and vision changes. Though most patients have a “benign” course, it can lead to significant morbidity, including blindness. The treatment approach is based on severity of visual impact and includes weight loss, intracranial pressure lowering medications, and sometimes surgery, such as spinal fluid diversion, optic nerve sheath fenestration, or venous sinus stenting. More studies are needed to determine when surgery is most appropriate and which surgical procedure provides maximal benefit with the least risk.