Author/Authors :
Apaydın Doğan, E Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi - Meram Tıp Fakültesi - Nöroloji Anabilim Dalı, Türkiye , Eruyar, E Ağrı Devlet Hastanesi - Nöroloji Kliniği, Türkiye , Genç, E Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi - Meram Tıp Fakültesi - Nöroloji Anabilim D, Türkiye , Demir, O Necmettin Erbakan Üniversitesi - Meram Tıp Fakültesi - Nöroloji Anabilim Dalı, Türkiye
Abstract :
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IH) is characterized by headache and visual disturbance without any identified secondary cause. When potential contributing causes are detected, it is better that the term secondary IH be adopted. Presented below is a case of secondary IH caused by retinoids in which reversal to a great degree was observed a few weeks after cessation of the drug and with proper treatment. A twenty year old female patient was admitted with headache, nausea and blurred vision. She had been on isotretinoin therapy for six months prior to her admission. Although she stopped retinoid use and was started with low dose acetazolamide at an outside institution several days before, she did not show any improvement. On admission she had a CSF pressure of 81cm H2O and near total concentric contraction of both visual fields. With serial lumbar punctures and higher dose acetazolamide, her symptoms began to improve within several days. Her visual fields improved to a great degree at discharge. Tetracyclines, steroids and retinoids are relatively frequently used in dermatological practice. Secondary IH should be kept in mind when using these drugs particularly in young female patients for they already have a susceptibility to develop this condition
