Benign Intercranial Hypertension

[Dawn Borton]

Basically for the last six months i have had a headache I finall went to see my GP in December and they have told me they suspect Benign Intercranial Hypertension.  Nothing showed up on my scan but they said they were going to do a lumber puncture and the consultant tried and failed.  Now it is being refered to a neuro surgeon.  However on Sunday 09 April i had sucha bad "episode" that my face puffed out and my eyes became slits, i coulnd't stand or talk proerly.  And i still can't see anything clearly it is all fuzzy.

I would like someone to explain what BIH is and what it can do to me.  I am a 21 yr old female with no history of severe headaches i do wear glasses but only for close work. I am a single mom living on my own and i don't want this to effect my baby.  Could this be anything else except BIH and if it is BIH could my bad attack on Sunday be the start of worse to come. Cna you help at all?

Dawn Borton

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Dawn Borton:

Did the physician look into your eyes and see if there was papilledema?  I would ask your physician if there was papilledema and if there was, with a normal scan the likelihood of having pseudotumor cerebri would be increased.  With increase pressured measured by LP would be the critical test.  Pseudotumor is seen in females in higher percentages, almost 9:1, usually the female is overweight, there is papilledema is over 50-60% of patients.  Headache is the most common symptom but ataxia can also be seen. Once the ICP is descreased by diuretics, the headaches and other symptoms will go away.

CCF Neuro MD

[mri/ct scans]

How do we know if the right scans are preformed?  I know there are many different procedures for different suspected problems.  How do we know the selected the right slices to look at?  Also, aren't MRIs with dye better for tissue tumors?
Sue

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear MRI/CT scans:

The usual protocols are usually fine to help in the diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri.  As there is a normal scan with pseudotumor cerebri, contrast is not needed. One is just looking for other possibilities of headache.  When you have a female, over weight, with headache and papilledema the diagnosis is usually pseudotumor cerebri, but the scans are to rule out the worrisome possibilities.

CCF Neuro MD

[Dawn Borton]

Thank you for your response.  Yes my doctor did look in my eyes and yes there is papilledema.  However i am still uncertain as to whether the bad attack i had at the weekend was a sign of thigs worsening.  

[CCF Neuro[P] MD, RPS]

Dear Dawn:

It does sound like you have pseudotumor cerebri.  Yes, your condition might be worsening.  I would call your neurologist and opthalmologist and get appointments (at let them know).  You have to protect your vision.

CCF Neuro MD