[Prognostic factors in benign intracranial hypertension]. / Factores pronósticos en la hipertensión intracraneal benigna.

The incidence of permanent visual loss in Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH) was assessed. 17 out of 100 patients with BIH had permanent visual loss which was severe in only three cases. We tried to identify the risk factors in this group of patients. Statistical analysis showed that the following factors were related with a bad visual outcome: atrophy of the disc, visual loss and field defects (other than enlargement of the blind stop) present at the first exam; delay of treatment; BIH in patients older than 40 years and, overall, presence of systemic hypertension. The identification of this risk factors may help in planning the treatment of the disorder.

[Historical and current concept of benign intracranial hypertension]. / Concepto histórico y actual de la hipertensión intracraneal benigna.

The concepts of serous meningitis, pseudotumour cerebri, hypertensive meningeal state and otitic hydrocephalus have not been considered historically as synonyms nor can they be superimposed on what is currently known as Benign Intracranial Hypertension (BIH). BIH is a syndrome of intracranial hypertension with no clinical, radiological or analytical evidence for the existence of focal or general neurological lesions or hydrocephalus, and which has a self-limiting "benign" development. At present, the diagnostic criteria usually accepted are: 1. Symptoms and signs of intracranial hypertension. 2. Absence of focal neurological symptoms and signs. 3. Absence of radiologically verified cerebral lesion. 4. C.S.F. of normal composition and high pressure. The requirement of other criteria for the diagnosis of BIH, such as angiography, to eliminate the possibility of thrombosis of venous sinuses, or continuous monitoring of C.S.F. pressure, is controversial.