What Do Transgender Patients Teach Us About Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension?

ABSTRACT

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), a condition of raised intracranial pressure, is characterised by headaches and visual disturbances. Its pathogenesis is currently unknown; however, dysregulation of androgens may be implicated. Here, the authors present a case of a 22-year-old patient undergoing female-to-male (FTM) gender reassignment who developed IIH shortly after commencing testosterone therapy. This interesting case presents the possibility of androgens having a pathogenic role in IIH.

KEYWORDS:

• Androgens
• gender reassignment
• idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• papilloedema testosterone

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Funding

C.H. is funded by an intercalating student award from the Association of British Neurologists. A.S. is funded by an NIHR Clinician Scientist Fellowship (NIHR-CS-011-028) and by the Medical Research Council, UK (MR/K015184/1).

Additional information

Funding

C.H. is funded by an intercalating student award from the Association of British Neurologists. A.S. is funded by an NIHR Clinician Scientist Fellowship (NIHR-CS-011-028) and by the Medical Research Council, UK (MR/K015184/1).