Benign intracranial hypertension: clinical observations

Abstract

The complexity of diagnosing benign intracranial hypertension is associated with the low specificity of symptoms. For a timely diagnosis and exclusion of the secondary nature of the disease, it is sometimes necessary to conduct a broad range of additional examinations. The article describes 2 cases of benign intracranial hypertension, representing a diagnostic challenge. In the first case the disease developed in a patient with iron deficiency, hyperprolactinemia and obesity. The patient was treated with diuretics and corticosteroids, therapeutic lumbar punctures were performed. In the second case the disease developed in a patient with recent childbearing, obesity and mastitis. Due to the ineffectiveness of drug therapy surgery was carried out – ventriculoperitoneal shunting was performed with a temporary positive effect. Later breast cancer was diagnosed. The etiology, epidemiology, pathogenesis and symptoms of the disease are discussed. Particular attention is focused on the treatment of benign intracranial hypertension.