Over-the-counter self-medication leading to intracranial hypertension in a young lady

Introduction

Headache is the one of the most common complaint in the neurology outpatient practice. Headache presenting with red flags like persistent vomiting, diplopia, blurring of vision, etc should raise suspicion of serious secondary causes of headache like raised intracranial pressure (ICP) prompting appropriate investigations. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is one such cause of raised ICP. The identification of IIH and work up for secondary causes of IIH will hep in deciding the most appropriate treatment for the patient. We present one such case of IIH with a rather surprising cause.

Case Report

A 26-year-old lady presented with chief complaint of headache of 4 months duration. It was off and on initially and then became continuous with increase in severity. One week, prior to presentation, the headache worsened in severity associated with transient blurring of vision. She had no other focal neurological or systemic symptoms. Past history revealed consuming dexamethasone (0.5 mg/day) and cyproheptadine (4 mg/day) tablets for intentional weight gain, obtained over the counter without any prescription. She used the tablets for a period of 1 year and stopped abruptly 6 months back. However, she has not developed any acute symptoms of steroid withdrawal. The headache had started around 2 months after she stopped the medications.

At the time of evaluation, she weighed 53 kg. Her height was 143 cm, body mass index (BMI) was 25.9 (18.5-25: Normal; 25-29.9: Overweight; >30: Obese). Her ideal body weight (Devine formula) was 45.9 kg.[1] Her blood pressure was 110/80 mmHg. Rest of the systemic examination was unremarkable. Examination revealed visual acuity of 6/6 in both eyes with normal intraocular pressure. Fundus showed bilateral optic disc edema with splinter hemorrhage in the left eye [Figure 1]. There were no cotton wool spots/macular edema. Visual field charting by Humphrey perimeter showed enlarged blind spot bilaterally with superior and inferior areas of depression in the right eye. Rest of the neurological examination was normal. In view of the gradually progressive headache and bilateral optic disc edema, raised intracranial pressure was considered and evaluated for the same.

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Figure 1

(a) Right fundus showing papilledema, (b) left fundus showing papilledema with splinter hemorrhage, (c) right eye showing enlargement of blind spot with superior and inferior areas of depression, (d) left eye enlargement of blind spot

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Complete blood counts, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, blood sugar, renal and liver function tests, serum electrolytes, HIV, Venereal disease research laboratory test (VDRL), thyroid function tests were within normal limits. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed tortuosity of the bilateral optic nerves with prominence of the subarachnoid space around the optic nerves, flattening of the posterior sclera, partial empty sella [Figure 2]. There was no intracranial mass lesion. The lateral ventricles were small and symmetrical. MR venography did not show any occlusion/thrombosis. After brain MRI, diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension was considered. Lumbar puncture revealed a high opening pressure of 280 mm H₂O and normal cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) (clear, colorless, white blood cell count 2, red blood cell 0, protein 14.5 mg/dL, glucose 76 mg/dL, chloride 114 meq/dL, India ink-negative). Following drainage of 20 mL of CSF, there was a significant reduction in the severity of headache lasting 2-3 days. A diagnosis of intracranial hypertension was made based on modified Dandy criteria.[2] She was started on acetazolamide 250 mg TID and advised 5%-10% weight loss. She has attained a weight loss of 8 kg (15%) over 6 months by dietary control and is completely asymptomatic now. Patient's prior approval was obtained for academic publication.

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Figure 2

(a) T2-axial brain showing tortuosity of bilateral optic nerves along with prominent optic nerve sheath, (b) T2-coronal brain showing enlarged subarachnoid space around the optic nerve, (c) T1 sagittal showing empty sella

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Discussion

Quinke first described the syndrome of increased intracranial pressure without ventriculomegaly or mass lesion in 1893.[3] The earlier terms such as pseudotumorcerebri, benign intracranial hypertension have now been abandoned. The nomenclature, pathophysiology, clinical features, diagnostic criteria, and investigations have been extensively reviewed elsewhere and briefly discussed here.[2456789] The current favored nomenclature for “idiopathic” variety is idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and cases with an identifiable cause are labeled as “Intracranial hypertension secondary to (cause)”.[2] Although the disease can occur in all ages and both sexes, young obese women of childbearing age is the typical patient for IIH.[2] The role of obesity in Asian population in causing IIH has been debated recently.[10] Young nonobese women (BMI < 30) have also a risk of developing IIH if there is a 5%-15% recent weight gain.[11] Patients with intracranial hypertension present with headache, visual symptoms, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus and evidence of papilledema, constricted fields, or sixth nerve palsy on examination.[4] Progressive permanent vision loss is the dreaded complication of IIH.[2412] Although various medications such as vitamin A over dosage, tetracyclines, and sudden withdrawal of steroids have been described to trigger intracranial hypertension, a consistent relationship is only seen with tetracyclines.[489131415] Cyproheptadine has not been reported to cause intracranial hypertension. Its contribution in our case is debated. The MRI features of IIH include “empty sella,” slit-like ventricles, posterior globe flattening, intraocular protrusion, optic nerve sheath enlargement, optic nerve tortuosity, and transverse sinus narrowing.[6] The treatment of IIH begins with a lumbar puncture followed by weight loss and medical management, acetazolamide being the most commonly used drug.[25] Weight loss of 5%-10% is a critical part of treatment of IIH.[51617] Other therapeutic options include venous sinus stenting, CSF diversion procedures, and surgery.[1218]

In spite of the presence of all the above risk factors in our patient, their individual contribution to the clinical picture is not clear. Our patient had a borderline BMI of 25.9 (normal 18.5-24.9) and weighed 2.1 kg more than her ideal body weight. She had a weight gain of 10.4% over 1 year. Patients with this body profile are seen very often in general population, but rarely have IIH. What had caused IIH-like picture in our patient? Although the role of various mechanisms contributing to the development of IIH is debated, the most likely causative factor in this case is the recent weight gain in a young female of childbearing age. The individual contribution of cyproheptadine, prolonged steroid usage, and abrupt withdrawal remains rather unclear at this time.

This case raises two important concerns. There is still lack of clarity in the causal-effect relationship in IIH with reference to the role of obesity, weight gain, steroid usage, steroid withdrawal, and their individual contribution to the causation of IIH, which needs to be studied.

Another concern of utmost public health importance is the practice of self-medication and unregulated drug dispensing by the pharmacies. Self-medication is a very fairly common practice in India owing its roots to prevailing socioeconomic and cultural factors. However, the knowledge about the harmful effects of self-medication is very limited. The easy availability of potentially toxic drugs such as steroids over the counter is really alarming. Doctors and hospitals should educate the patients about harmful effects of self-medication. Effective use of mass media should be done to take the message to the masses. Drug regulatory authorities should strictly enforce laws pertaining to drug dispensing. Multipronged approach utilizing the media, government organizations, nongovernment organizations, doctors, pharmaceutical industry targeting the general population, as well as the pharmacy distributors should be used to increase the awareness about harmful effects of self-medication and control unregulated drug dispensing.