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Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor Cerebri), Pediatric

Sabrina E. Smith, MD, PhD Reviewed 10/2018
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

Diagnostic criteria of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) include the following: 
  • Signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (e.g., headache, vomiting, ocular manif...

DIAGNOSIS

HISTORY

  • Headache

  • Blurred vision

  • Transient visual darkening

  • Stiff neck

  • Pulsatile tinnitus

  • Dizziness

  • Infants and young children may present with irritability, somnolence, or ataxia.

  • IIH should be cons...

TREATMENT

MEDICATION

First Line

  • For patients with mild to moderate visual loss, acetazolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor that decreases CSF production, is the drug of choice.

    • The pediatric dosage is...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Patient Monitoring

  • Initially, patients should have visual acuity, visual fields, and fundi evaluated weekly or biweekly.

  • If vision is stable, monthly visits may be ...

ADDITIONAL READING

  • Avery RA, Licht DJ, Shah SS, et al. CSF opening pressure in children with optic nerve head edema. Neurology.  2011;76(19):1658–1661. [View Abstract on OvidInsights]

  • Matthews YY,...

CODES

ICD9

348.2 Benign intracranial hypertension 

ICD10

G93.2 Benign intracranial hypertension 

SNOMED

68267002 Benign intracranial hypertension (disorder) 

FAQ

  • Q: What are the side effects of acetazolamide?

  • A: Side effects of acetazolamide include GI upset, paresthesias, loss of appetite, drowsiness, metabolic acidosis, and renal stones. An alternative is...

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