Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: pseudotumor cerebri.

BACKGROUND: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), as defined by the modified Dandy criteria, is a diagnosis of exclusion. It is important to rule out other sight- and life-threatening causes of optic disk edema. IIH primarily affects obese women of childbearing age. CONCLUSIONS: Permanent visual loss is the primary morbidity associated with IIH. Quantitative perimetry is key in management decision-making to prevent blindness. Treatment consists of weight loss, medication, and surgery.