Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disease that predominantly affects obese women of reproductive age. As obesity rates increase globally, the incidence of this disease is also on the rise. Elevated intracranial pressure without secondary etiology is the main diagnostic feature of this disorder; however, little is known about its underlying pathophysiologic mechanisms....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
IIH can cause pulsatile tinnitus and hearing changes, so audiologists should be aware of it as a differential; however, this narrative review offers no new management guidance that would change audiology practice — refer suspected IIH cases to neurology as before.
IIH is an underrecognised cause of pulsatile tinnitus and auditory symptoms, and its increasing prevalence means audiologists are more likely to encounter affected patients.
- 01IIH incidence is rising in parallel with global obesity rates, predominantly affecting obese women.
- 02Pulsatile tinnitus and transient visual obscurations are hallmark symptoms relevant to audiologists.
- 03Narrative review covers pathogenesis theories including CSF overproduction and venous sinus stenosis.
- 04Management options reviewed include weight loss, acetazolamide, and surgical CSF diversion.
- 05No new clinical evidence is introduced; conclusions rest on existing literature synthesis.
The incidence of IIH is rising in parallel with global obesity trends.
studysupportedIIH predominantly affects obese women.
guidelinesupported- PMID
- 42666867
- DOI
- 10.4103/bc.bc_13_25.
- Journal
- Brain Circulation
- Publication type
- review
- Evidence level
- 5
- Population
- Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension, predominantly obese women
- Intervention
- Various pharmacological and surgical IIH management strategies
Primary outcomes
Pathogenesis mechanisms; Management outcomes for IIH