Update on Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Management

ABSTRACT

Background: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is a secondary headache with a steadily growing incidence. Currently, there is little evidence to guide the treatment of IIH. Objective: To review the pathophysiology of IIH, with focus on the role of obesity as a risk factor, and the implications for new therapeutic perspectives. Methods: In this narrative review, we summarized the current knowledge on treatment options highlighting available evidence for managing intracranial hypertension, obesity, and headache. Results: Clinical Presentation: Headache is the most common symptom and a significant cause of quality-of-life impairment. Visual loss is common in the diagnosis. Pathophysiology: There is no unified theory able to explain all symptoms and the evolution of the disease. There is growing data pointing to metabolic changes and obesity with a central role in IIH pathophysiology. Treatment: Mmost published data on IIH treatment is related to pressure control and protection from visual loss. Acetazolamide and cerebrospinal fluid diversion are the best options available. Optic nerve sheath fenestration might be useful to temporally control the pressure over the optic nerve and thus protect from visual deterioration. Recently, venous sinus stenting has proven to be a safe option in selected cases. Finally, bariatric surgery has proven to effectively control elevated intracranial pressure. Conclusion: IIH is a potential cause of high disability. Early recognition is important, and treatment should be tailored to the needs of each case. There is a lack of research on headache management, which might persist after ICP control.

RESUMO

Antecedentes: A Hipertensão Intracraniana Idiopática (HII) é uma cefaleia secundária com incidência crescente. Atualmente há pouca evidência disponível na literatura referente ao manejo da HII. Objetivo: O entendimento da fisiopatologia e o papel central da obesidade como fator de risco para HII abriu novas perspectivas de tratamento. Métodos: Nessa revisão narrativa, objetivamos revisar as principais opções de tratamento disponíveis atualmente para o manejo da HII, controle da obesidade e da cefaleia. Resultados: Apresentação clínica: a cefaleia é o sintoma mais comum e uma importante causa de impacto na qualidade de vida, e o déficit visual é um achado comum no diagnóstico. Fisiopatologia: Atualmente não existe uma teoria unificada capaz de explicar satisfatoriamente os sintomas e a evolução da doença. Um crescente corpo de evidências aponta para o papel central das alterações metabólicas e da obesidade na fisiopatologia da HII. Tratamento: A maioria dos dados publicados sobre HII estão relacionados a medidas para controle da hipertensão intracraniana e proteção da visão. Acetazolamida e Derivação Ventriculo Peritoneal são as principais alternativas com esse fim. A fenestração do nervo óptico pode ser útil como medida termporaria de controle da pressão sobre o nervo óptico e proteção contra a progressão do déficit visual. Cirurgia bariátrica se mostrou efetiva no controle da pressão intracraniana. Conclusão: A HII é uma causa importante de incapacidade cujo reconhecimento precoce é importante. O tratamento deve ser individualizado. Atualmente há uma importante defasagem de evidências sobre o manejo da cefaleia nesse grupo de pacientes.

Keywords:

Pseudotumor Cerebri - Acetazolamide - Optic Nerve - Cerebrospinal Fluid - Bariatric Surgery.

Palavras-chave:

Pseudotumor Cerebral - Acetazolamida - Nervo Óptico - Líquido Cefalorraquidiano - Cirurgia Bariátrica.

Authors’ contributions:

MNPS: was the first author; The other authors contributed equally to the publication

Publication History

Received: 15 March 2022

Accepted: 29 April 2022

Article published online:
06 February 2023

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