Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension
Symptoms
The major symptom is increased pressure within the skull (increased intracranial pressure). There is no evidence of tumor, infection, blocked drainage of the fluid surrounding the brain, or any other cause.
Symptoms include:
- Headache
- Buzzing sound in the ears (tinnitus)
- Dizziness
- Nausea
-
Double vision (diplopia) - Partial or permanent loss of vision. Patients often complain of blurred vision.
Symptoms may get worse during physical activity, especially when tightening the stomach muscles.
Signs and tests
The doctor will perform a physical exam. Signs of this condition include:
- Swelling of a small area in the back of the eye (papilledema)
- Increased head size
-
Bulging anterior fontanelle in babies whose cranial sutures are not yet closed
Despite the increased pressure in the skull, there is no change in alertness.
Tests that may be done include:
- CT Scan
- MRI
- Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)
- Eye exam, including formal visual field testing
The diagnosis is made when other health conditions are ruled out. Several conditions may cause increased intracranial pressure, including venous sinus thrombosis,
Images
Previous Section
Review Date: 03/26/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant
Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of
Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
