Condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure (pressure around the brain) without a detectable cause

Aetiology

• Typically develops in younger, overweight female patients, many of whom have polycystic ovaries
• Probably results from reduced CSF resorption

Clinical features

Symptoms

• Headache
• Double vision, visual blurring
• Tinnitus
• Radicular pain
• Morning nausea and vomiting

Signs

• Papilloedema → 25% severe/permanent visual loss
• Failure to fully abduct the eye

Investigations

• Lumbar puncture
• CT/MR head
  • No ventricular dilation → normal CT
• Computed tomography arteriography
• Fundoscopy +/- opthalmology review

Management