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Submitted: 2021-02-02
DOI: 10.35119/myjo.v5i1.201
Case Reports
Published: 2023-08-17

A rare case of fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia; UM Eye Research Centre (UMERC), Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6968-1500
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5349-2588
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia; Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9259-5846
Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia; Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1630-6701
blindness fulminant idiopathic intracranial hypertension pseudotumor cerebri

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is characterised by raised intracranial pressure and normal cerebrospinal fluid composition with no detectable intracranial aetiology. Fulminant IIH is rare and is defined by the acute onset of symptoms and signs (less than 4 weeks between onset of symptoms and severe vision loss) with progressive vision loss over days.

Case presentation: A 22-year-old woman with body mass index of 27.6 was diagnosed with fulminant IIH. Her presenting vision was hand movement and it progressed rapidly to no light perception by day 4. She was managed with oral acetazolamide and intermittent lumbar punctures. Nevertheless, she did not regain her vision.

Conclusion: Fulminant IIH is a vision-threatening condition that must be recognised and treated early to prevent irreversible vision loss.