Benign Intracranial Hypertension

This is a condition where the pressure in the brain is increased and is not due to a tumour or due to obstructed fluid drainage also referred to as hydrocephalus.

The cause is not always evident. It is more common in females, obese patients and women on oral contraceptives.

Symptoms primarily is headaches, impaired vision or double vision.

The diagnosis is confirmed by obtaining a CT or MRI scan to rule out a tumour and then by doing a lumbar puncture to indirectly check if the pressure is increased. In some circumstances an intracranial pressure monitor can be placed to check the brain pressure directly.

Treatment can be medical with diuretics.

Surgery in the form of a lumbar pertoneal shunt ( LP shunt ) drains fluid from the spinal cord in the abdominal cavity and thereby reduce the pressure in the brain.

Prognosis varies but up to a third of patients are never cured and have recurrent symptoms.