title: Update on the pathophysiology and management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
abstract: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is a disease of unknown aetiology, typically affecting young obese women, producing a syndrome of increased intracranial pressure without identifiable cause. Despite a large number of hypotheses and publications over the past decade, the aetiology is still unknown. Vitamin A metabolism, adipose tissue as an actively secreting endocrine tissue and cerebral venous abnormalities are areas of active study regarding the pathophysiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension. There continues to be no evidence based consensus or formal guidelines regarding management and treatment of the disease. Treatment studies show that the diagnostic lumbar puncture is a valuable intervention beyond its diagnostic importance, and that weight management is critical. However, many questions remain regarding the efficacy of acetazolamide, CSF shunting procedures and cerebral transverse venous sinus stenting.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Emory University, Atlanta, GA, USA. vbiouss@emory.edu
authors.forename: Valérie
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Biousse
authors.forename: Beau B
authors.initials: BB
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.forename: Nancy J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Newman
mesh_terms: D050110:Bariatric Surgery / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D015995:Prevalence; D011559:Pseudotumor Cerebri / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery
chemical_list: D002257:Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors