Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a retrospective study of 20 cases

In a retrospective study of 20 patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, clinical features and outcome were studied (average follow-up, 28.6 months). Fifteen patients, all women, were obese as defined by body mass index. Fifteen patients (75%) had decreased visual acuity. All 20 patients had bilateral papilledema. Visual field disturbances were observed in 11 patients (73.3%). Average time to efficacy of medical treatment was 2.4 months. In 9 of 18 cases, papilledema returned after a mean of 16.8 months following discontinuation of therapy.