Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is defined by elevated intracranial pressure in the absence of an intracranial mass or cerebrospinal fluid abnormality and is commonly associated with papilledema. Although cranial nerve involvement may occur, simultaneous facial and vestibulocochlear nerve dysfunction is rare and may lead to diagnostic confusion....
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
Audiologists and vestibular specialists should be aware that IIH can involve the vestibulocochlear nerve; unexplained audiovestibular symptoms alongside visual disturbance warrant neurological referral.
This case expands awareness that IIH may present with auditory and vestibular nerve involvement, potentially broadening the differential diagnosis audiologists apply to patients with unexplained hearing or balance complaints.
- 01Single case of IIH presenting with papilledema plus facial and vestibulocochlear nerve involvement.
- 02Vestibulocochlear nerve involvement in IIH is uncommon and can mimic primary audiovestibular conditions.
- 03Published in Case Reports in Ophthalmology and Medicine (2026).
- 04Highlights need for multidisciplinary assessment when audiovestibular symptoms co-occur with visual signs.
- 05Evidence is limited to a single case report — generalisability is low.
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension can involve both facial and vestibulocochlear nerves simultaneously, in addition to papilledema.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42707718
- DOI
- 10.1155/crop/5103077.
- Journal
- Case Reports in Ophthalmology and Medicine
- Publication type
- case_report
- Evidence level
- 4
- Sample size
- 1
- Population
- Single adult patient with idiopathic intracranial hypertension
- Intervention
- Clinical documentation of IIH with multi-nerve involvement
Primary outcomes
Description of concurrent papilledema, facial nerve, and vestibulocochlear nerve involvement in IIH