Pediatric Intracranial Hypertension: a Current Literature Review

Curr Pain Headache Rep. 2018 Feb 13;22(2):14. doi: 10.1007/s11916-018-0665-9.

Abstract

Purpose of review: The purpose of this review is to provide an update on pediatric intracranial hypertension.

Recent findings: The annual pediatric incidence is estimated at 0.63 per 100,000 in the USA and 0.71 per 100,000 in Britain. The Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Treatment Trial found improvement in visual fields, optical coherence tomography, Frisen grade, and quality of life with acetazolamide compared to placebo in adult patients, and these findings have been translated to the pediatric population. Pediatric intracranial hypertension is a disorder that if left untreated can lead to poor quality of life and morbidity. There are no current treatment studies in pediatrics, but adult data suggests acetazolamide remains an acceptable first-line medication.

Keywords: Headache; Intracranial hypertension; Papilledema; Pediatric; Pseudotumor cerebri.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Acetazolamide / therapeutic use*
  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
  • Child
  • Early Diagnosis
  • Humans
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / diagnosis*
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / physiopathology
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / therapy
  • Quality of Life
  • Terminology as Topic
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence*
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Visual Fields

Substances

  • Carbonic Anhydrase Inhibitors
  • Acetazolamide