Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension and Multiple Sclerosis Overlap

Abstract

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and multiple sclerosis (MS) occur with a higher incidence in women of childbearing age and may be associated with other clinical entities. Both disease processes alter cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics and may present similarly with headache and visual changes. We report a case of a 33-year-old morbidly obese woman who developed progressive worsening blurry vision and unilateral temporal headache. She was found to have papilledema which prompted workup for intracranial hypertension. Her imaging and CSF findings were suggestive of a demyelinating process such as MS in addition to IIH.