2009 issue 1

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Volume 18, issue 1

Review

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: etiology, clinical symptoms, treatment

Włodzimierz Kuran1
1. I Klinika Neurologiczna Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie
Postępy Psychiatrii i Neurologii 2009; 18 (1): 75-78
Keywords: idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pseudotumor cerebri, acetazolamide

Abstract

Objective. The reviewpresents current opinions and knowledge on etiology, pathogenesis, clinical symptoms and treatment of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also namedpseudotumor cerebri.
Review. IIH is a polyetiological syndrome of increased intracranialpressure without brain tumors or CNS infections. Persistent head-aches and vision disturbances are the pivotal clinical symptoms.
Conclusions. Since the IIH pathogenesis is unknown, treatment of the condition is mainly symptomatic with diuretics (acetazolamide). In rare cases of rapidly progressingpapilloedema involving a risk of blindness surgical treatment is recommended.

Address for correspondence:
Dr Włodzimierz Kuran
I Klinika Neurologiczna Instytutu Psychiatrii i Neurologi
Al.Sobieskiego 9, 02-957 Warszawa
tel. 0-22-45-82-548
e-mail: neurol1@ipin.edu.pl