Headache in an Obese Adolescent Male: A Nonclassical Presentation of an Uncommon Disease

Case Report

An obese 18-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a 2-day history of recurrent headaches. His headaches are located in the occipital region with a dull, aching quality. Patient also endorses nausea, vomiting, and vision changes during his headaches. He denies recent head trauma, loss of consciousness, or history of migraine headaches. He has been taking ibuprofen for his pain without much relief. Neurologic examination was negative with intact cranial nerves II-XII, normal sensory and motor function in all extremities, and negative cerebellar examination. A computed tomography (CT) scan of the brain was negative for masses, bleed, midline shift, and hydrocephalus but demonstrated an empty sella (Figure 1) and indentation of the posterior sclera of both globes at the optic nerve head insertion sites (Figure 2a and b), both of which are radiographic indictors of increased intracranial pressure (ICP). A follow-up magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan of the brain revealed enhancement and protrusion of the prelaminar optic nerves bilaterally and tortuosity of the right optic nerve (Figure 3), which are consistent with prolonged elevation of ICP. Magnetic resonance venogram (MRV) of the head demonstrated a right transverse sinus “flow gap,” a common finding in patients with IIH, but no evidence of venous sinus thrombosis (Figure 4). As a result of these imaging, the patient underwent a lumbar puncture, which demonstrated an opening pressure of 55 cm H₂O (normal range = 11.5-27 cm H₂O in children¹) and normal cerebral spinal fluid analysis. He was started on acetazolamide and counseled on weight loss.

Figure 1.

Sagittal noncontrast head computed tomography shows an empty sella, a sign of increased intracranial pressure.

Figures 2.

Axial noncontrast head CT shows indentation of the posterior sclera of the right (a) and left (b) globes, respectively, a sign of increased intracranial pressure.

Figure 3.

Contrast enhanced T1-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging of the brain shows enhancement and protrusion of the prelaminar optic nerves and right optic nerve tortuosity, signs of increased intracranial pressure.

Figure 4.

Time of flight magnetic resonance venogram of the head shows a right transverse sinus “flow gap” and an asymmetrically narrowed caliber left transverse sinus. There is no evidence of venous sinus thrombosis.

Final Diagnosis

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Discussion

IIH, commonly called pseudotumor cerebri, is diagnosed by an elevation in ICP without an identifiable cause. While many hypotheses have been given for the increase in ICP, from increased cerebral volume to increased cerebrospinal fluid production, the exact pathogenesis remains unknown. Despite its former name benign intracranial hypertension, untreated IIH can have severe consequences. IIH causes optic nerve damage through papilledema, with studies demonstrating visual field loss in 71% of patients at time of diagnosis.² Thus, prompt treatment is required to prevent further vision loss.

IIH is an uncommon disease with an annual incidence of 1 to 2 per 100 000, but rates have been rising globally with the obesity epidemic.³ The classic IIH patient is an overweight female of childbearing age, though IIH has been seen in children as young as 4 months old.⁴ In the pediatric population in particular, obesity is a less important risk factor compared with the adult population, and there is no distinct sex predilection.⁵ Furthermore, a limited study of 10 prepubertal children with IIH reported strabismus and stiff neck as more common presenting symptoms than headache.⁶

When symptoms of increased ICP present in these nonclassical populations, it is especially important to evaluate for secondary causes of intracranial hypertension with neuroimaging prior to making a diagnosis of IIH. The differential diagnosis is broad and includes intracranial hemorrhage, central nervous system infection, stroke, neoplasm, hydrocephalus, cerebral edema, and obstructed venous drainage. In the pediatric population in particular, clinicians should assess for steroid use or withdrawal, tetracycline use, Addison’s disease, hypoparathyroidism, obstructive sleep apnea, and lupus, all of which can cause elevated ICP.

In cases of acute elevation of ICP, head CT is the imaging of choice to evaluate for midline shift, effacement of the basilar cisterns and sulci, and hydrocephalus.⁷ Otherwise, MRI of the brain with contrast is the preferred study to exclude secondary intracranial hypertension, particularly subtle intracranial masses and meningeal pathologies.⁸ Image findings on MRI suggestive of elevated ICP include empty sella, flattening of the posterior sclera, tortuosity of the orbital optic nerve, and distention of the preoptic subarachnoid space.⁹ MRV is often required in addition to MRI to exclude conditions that cause intracranial hypertension via venous outflow obstruction, such as dural venous sinus thrombosis.¹⁰ Flow gaps, seen in this patient, commonly present in IIH as an indication of transverse sinus stenosis and not thrombosis; whether their formation is the cause or consequence of elevated ICP still remains a hotly debated topic.¹¹

In this case report, the positive findings of empty sella, flattening of the posterior sclera, and optic nerve tortuosity on CT/MR, exclusion of dural venous sinus thrombosis on MRV, and increased opening pressure on lumbar puncture all together cinch the diagnosis of IIH.

Conclusion

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension is an uncommon disease that presents atypically in the pediatric population, usually without the common risk factors seen in the adult population. When suspected, other causes of intracranial hypertension need to be evaluated with neuroimaging prior to making this diagnosis of exclusion. Treatment should be initiated promptly to prevent further vision loss.