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Review
. 2024 Mar 16;16(3):e56256.
doi: 10.7759/cureus.56256. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Navigating the Enigma: A Comprehensive Review of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Saket S Toshniwal  1 , Jiwan Kinkar  2 , Yatika Chadha  3 , Kashish Khurana  1 , Harshitha Reddy  1 , Abhinav Kadam  1 , Sourya Acharya  1
Affiliations
Review

Navigating the Enigma: A Comprehensive Review of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Saket S Toshniwal et al. Cureus. .

Abstract

An unidentified source of increased intracranial pressure is a hallmark of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), also referred to as pseudotumor cerebri. It mainly affects young, obese women, yet it can happen to anyone, regardless of age, gender, or weight. IIH presents with symptoms such as headaches, visual disturbances, and pulsatile tinnitus and can lead to severe complications, including vision loss, if left untreated. Diagnosis involves clinical evaluation, neuroimaging, and lumbar puncture, while management options include medical interventions and surgical procedures. This review provides a comprehensive overview of IIH, including its etiology, clinical presentation, epidemiology, complications, management approaches, and challenges. Increased awareness among healthcare professionals, standardized diagnostic criteria, and further research efforts are essential for improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals with IIH.

Keywords: complications; elevated intracranial pressure; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; management strategies; pseudotumor cerebri; visual disturbances.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Primary factors contributing to IIH
IIH, idiopathic intracranial hypertension Image credit: Saket S. Toshniwal
Figure 2
Figure 2. Symptoms and signs of IIH
IIH, idiopathic intracranial hypertension Image credit: Saket S. Toshniwal
Figure 3
Figure 3. ChatGPT-assisted editing and rephrasing of the review article
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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