benign intracranial hypertension


idiopathic intracranial hypertension

A neurological disorder characterised by an idiopathic increase in intracranial pressure in the absence of organic disease; it is more common in young women, especially if obese.
 
Clinical findings
Headache, nausea, vomiting, pulsatile tinnitus, double vision and other visual symptoms; with time, swelling of the optic disc and blindness.
 
Workup
Brain scan and a lumbar puncture to exclude organic disease.
Management
Acetazolamide, or surgery to relieve the pressure.

pseu·do·tu·mor cer·e·bri

(sū'dō-tū'mĕr ser'ĕ-brī) A condition, commonly associated with obesity in young women, of cerebral edema with narrowed small ventricles but with increased intracranial pressure and frequently papilledema.

benign intracranial hypertension

A syndrome of raised pressure within the skull in the absence of a brain tumour, HYDROCEPHALUS or other obvious cause. The condition is only relatively benign as it often leads to visual loss from compression damage to the optic nerves. It occurs most often in women below the age of 40 and causes severe headache and nausea but no deterioration of intellect or consciousness. Obesity is a common association. Ophthalmoscopic examination shows striking swelling of the optic discs (papilloedema).