Abstract
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition that classically affects obese women of child-bearing age. However, it is sometimes encountered in older patients. The purpose of this study was to help clinicians better understand how this disease can present differently in these age groups. This is a retrospective chart review from a single academic center of baseline characteristics of adult patients diagnosed with IIH based on the modified Dandy criteria. The patients were divided into 2 groups: (1) those 18-44 years old and (2) those older than 45 years at diagnosis. One hundred sixty-seven patients were identified; 135 in the younger group and 32 in the older group. The younger group had a higher rate of headaches (90% vs 63%, P = 0.0004), higher body mass index (38.9 vs 36.1, P = 0.046), higher opening pressure (38 vs 31 cm H2O, P = 0.005), and thicker peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer average thickness (right eye 178 vs 131 μm, P = 0.02; left eye 184 vs 136 μm, P = 0.045). The older group had higher rates of empty sella (90% vs 62%, P = 0.0039). In addition in the younger group, there was a trend toward higher rates of pulsatile tinnitus (63% vs 45%, P = 0.08), transient visual obscurations (50% vs 32%, P = 0.07), and lower rates of spontaneous cerebrospinal fluid leak (4% vs 13%, P = 0.08). Sex, rates of obesity, other MRI findings typical of elevated intracranial pressure, frequency and Frisen grading of papilledema, and visual field loss were not statistically different between the groups. The older age group had milder signs and symptoms of IIH and a higher prevalence of empty sella than the younger group, but otherwise had typical characteristics. These findings suggest that IIH in the older age group may represent milder chronic disease that was previously undiagnosed.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
More From: Journal of neuro-ophthalmology : the official journal of the North American Neuro-Ophthalmology Society
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.