Current concepts and strategies in the diagnosis and management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in adults

• Published in: Journal of neurology 2017-08, Vol.264 (8), p.1622-1633
• Main Author: Chan, Jane W.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acetazolamide; Animals; Cardiovascular system; Cerebrospinal fluid; Clinical trials; Headache; Humans; Hypertension; Intracranial Hypertension - diagnosis; Intracranial Hypertension - etiology; Intracranial Hypertension - physiopathology; Intracranial Hypertension - therapy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neuroimaging; Neurology; Neuroradiology; Neurosciences; Optic nerve; Review; Sinus; Swelling
• ISSN: 0340-5354; 1432-1459
• DOI: 10.1007/s00415-017-8401-7

Since obesity has become an epidemic in industrialized nations, idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is now a more common neuro-ophthalmic disorder that causes visual loss and headaches. This review highlights the new diagnostic criteria for IIH and the new insights into the pathophysiologic mechanisms of IIH. Key diagnostic and monitoring techniques for papilledema include not only neuroimaging and the measurement of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure, but also perimetry, optical coherence tomography, and ocular sonography. The main findings of the Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial (IIHTT) support acetazolamide as the mainstay for medical therapy. CSF diversion procedures, endovascular venous sinus stenting, and optic nerve sheath fenestration are all surgical options when IIH is refractory to medical treatment or when it presents fulminantly. Future clinical trials comparing these procedures will help develop better paradigms in the surgical management of IIH.