The goal of this study was to evaluate the utility of orbital ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH).

We reviewed the medical records of patients referred to our department for suspected IIH.

Seven children were diagnosed with IIH. Nine children revealed pseudopapilledema by optic coherence tomography and/or orbital ultrasonography. When the axial sequences were reexamined, patients with papilledema had optic nerve sheath (ONS) enlargement (6.62 ± 0.70 mm); patients with pseudopapilledema had ONS diameter as 4.62 ± 0.64 mm. There was a significant correlation between the CSF opening pressure and ONS diameter (p < 0.005, r = 0.661). In the papilledema group, the presence of proposed subtle markers as increased tortuosity in the optic nerve was found in six patients. Five of seven patients had a target sign, intraocular protrusion of the optic nerve, and posterior globe flattening.

Ophthalmological review is important to avoid unnecessary procedures for detection of true papilledema. ONS diameter is a reliable neuroimaging marker as other subtle markers.