European journal of paediatric neurology : EJPN : official journal of the European Paediatric Neurology Society
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Eur. J. Paediatr. Neurol. · Jan 2007
False diagnosis of papilloedema and idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
The diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) relies heavily on the appearance of the optic disc. We report eighteen children referred to us over a 3 year period with disc swelling and suspected IIH. ⋯ In these ten children, five had a mean opening pressure on lumbar puncture of 27.2 cm H2O, range 19-32, which was significantly lower than those with IIH (37.5 cm H2O, range 29-47; p<0.01). We conclude that diagnosis of IIH is difficult, and that more precisely defined criteria for assessment and diagnosis are needed.