Bariatric Surgery as a Complementary Treatment in Patients with Idiopathic Pseudotumor Cerebri: an Overview

Abstract

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), also known as pseudotumor cerebri, is a syndrome characterized by an increase in intracranial pressure of unknown cause, leading to headaches, frequently in the morning, progressive vision loss, papilledema, pulsatile tinnitus, and in most cases, regular cerebrospinal fluid studies. The most robust and consistent risk factors occur in female patients of reproductive age and those with obesity. This condition in recent years has increased in reported cases due to an escalation in the rate of obesity and unhealthy lifestyles. Currently, there are varying therapeutic options for primary and secondary PTC patients. The first line of therapy includes weight loss and medications such as Acetazolamide, Topiramate. Although corticosteroids have previously been used, they are not recommended due to the risk of weight gain and therefore worsening the symptoms of intracranial hypertension in these patients.