Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Case Report

Abstract

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension is a rare occurrence in young, physically fit male and a diagnosis of exclusion among most patients presenting with signs and symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. Here we describe a case of a young male in the ideal weight range with no previous exposure to offending chemicals presented with a history of headache, obscuration of vision, and photopsia. On examination, there were no positive neurological findings. Increased opening pressure was found on the lumbar puncture. Ophthalmological examination revealed bilateral papilledema. Humphrey’s Visual field test showed peripheral field loss. Magnetic resonance imaging scan of the brain and orbits were normal. The patient was diagnosed and managed in primary care setting after neurosurgical consultation. Though rare, we should suspect idiopathic intracranial hypertension in ideal body weighted male if the headache is persistent after other causes of headache have been ruled out.