Benign Intracranial Hypertension Associated With Hypervitaminosis A

1 January 1970

journal article
research article
Published by American Medical Association (AMA) in Archives of Neurology

Vol. 22 (1) , 1-7
https://doi.org/10.1001/archneur.1970.00480190005001

Abstract

MANY explanations have been proposed concerning the etiology of benign intracranial hypertension (BIH).^1-109 The syndrome includes headache, papilledema, increased intracranial pressure, and occasional related visual field defects and sixth nerve palsies.^1-10 The patients are alert, and the electroen-cephalogram is usually normal,¹¹ as are the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) protein level and cell count. Pneumoencephalogram shows a normal or small ventricular system, and no obstruction of extracerebral CSF patterns.^1-7 Brain edema has been noted on biopsy, with swelling of all cellular elements.¹² Papilledema can occasionally be so severe as to constitute a threat to vision.⁷ The majority of patients experience a self-limiting course, with rare recurrence.¹³ Implicated as causative factors have been the following: (1) obstruction or impairment of intracranial venous drainage^7,14-28; (2) endocrine and metabolic dysfunctions,^29-43 including obesity,^30-33 menstrual disorders,^34,35 pregnancy,^36,37 menarche,³⁸ Addison's disease,³⁹ and hypoparathy-roidism^40-42; (3) exogenously administered drugs,^44-62 including adrenal steroids,^44-51 female sex hormones,^52-54 antibiotics,^55-61 and psychotherapeutic drugs⁶²; and

Keywords

This publication has 0 references indexed in Scilit: