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.

Keywords

• benign intracranial hypertension, iron deficiency, hyperprolactinemia, breast cancer