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Intracranial hypertension

Increased pressure inside the skull is intracranial hypertension. The accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) around your brain is the cause of this condition.

Symptoms of intracranial hypertension

A severe headache is the most typical indication of intracranial hypertension. Vision changes, and you could experience sudden blind patches or double vision. Please consult your doctor to determine whether these symptoms are caused by intracranial hypertense.

Other signs of intracranial hypertension include;

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Loss of side vision (peripheral vision)
  • Vomiting and nauseous
  • Neck and shoulder ache
  • Temporary vision loss
  • Tinnitus (ringing in your ears)

Intracranial hypertension causes

Chronic intracranial hypertension may have a variety of reasons, including:

  • A brain growth
  • A brain infection
  • Having hydrocephalus, where fluid accumulates inside of and around the brain
  • Aberrant blood vessels, such as an arteriovenous malformation or an arteriovenous fistula
  • A venous sinus thrombosis is a blood clot in a vein in your brain

 

Other signs of intracranial hypertension include;
  • A restriction in fluid flow at the base of the skull
  • An infection of the brain’s blood arteries

    Diagnosing intracranial hypertension

    To diagnose Intracranial hypertension, you might undergo different tests, including one to assess your balance, reflexes, and muscle strength. Any issues could indicate a problem with your brain or nerve

  • A vision and eye health evaluation
  • A brain scan using an MRI or CT scan
  • A lumbar puncture applies to inserting a needle into the back of the spine to check for high pressure in the fluid surrounding your brain and spinal cord

Treatments for intracranial hypertension

The majority of people find that medication helps their intracranial hypertension symptoms.

Your doctor might advise:

Weight loss: If your BMI is high, losing weight helps lessen the symptoms of Intracranial hypertension. Your doctor might advise losing between 5% and 10% of your body weight.

Medication: Some drugs treat the symptoms of Intracranial hypertension. To assist the body in creating less cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the doctor might advise you to take topiramate or acetazolamide. You can also take a diuretic (water pill) to reduce fluid retention.

Surgery: If Intracranial hypertension is severe, you might need surgery. Your doctor may suggest a spinal fluid shunt long, thin tube called a shunt is inserted into the brain to drain extra cerebrospinal (CSF).

Alternatively, you might have a procedure called optic nerve sheath fenestration. Your doctor makes a few incisions near the optic nerve to improve cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow.

     

    Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
    Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022