Four cases of benign intracranial hypertension in two nonobese women (23 and 36 yr. old) and two nonobese men (both 47 yr. old) are presented. The most remarkable finding of the clinical investigation of these cases was the absence of papilledema. Our finding is consistent with other reports, and suggest that the presence of papilledema should not be considered critical for the diagnosis of benign intracranial hypertension. Additionally, the authors present a hypothesis for the absence of papilledema in cases otherwise typical of benign intracranial hypertension.
pseudotumor cerebri; benign intracranial hypertension; normal optic papillae