Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Comprehensive Review of Diagnosis and Management

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a critical vision-threatening disease that has been on the rise over the past 10 years.1 IIH is a condition involving an increase in intracranial pressure due to an unknown (idiopathic), nonspecific cause. The previous alternative name of IIH, "pseudotumor cerebri" (false brain tumor), was given because IIH can present with symptoms similar to those that are seen in several brain tumors - severe headaches, seizures, nausea, and vision deterioration. IIH has a primarily female predominance and a strong association with obesity. As the rates of obesity increase, the prevalence of IIH is similarly expected to rise.1,2 Novel, effective management methods are necessary to meet the demands of an increase in IIH patients.