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Brain Education: Pseudotumor Cerebri

Pseudotumor cerebri literally means "false brain tumor." Pseudotumor cerebri, also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a disorder of unknown etiology. It affects predominantly obese women of childbearing age. The primary problem is chronically elevated intracranial pressure (ICP), and the most important neurologic manifestation is papilledema, which may lead to progressive optic atrophy and blindness.

Pathophysiology

Symptoms

• Moderate to severe headaches that may originate behind your eyes, wake you from sleep and worsen with eye movement
• Nausea, vomiting or dizziness
• Blurred or dimmed vision
• Brief episodes of blindness, lasting only a few seconds
• Inability to see from the side of the eyes
• Ringing in the ears that pulses in time with your heartbeat

Causes
The exact cause of pseudotumor cerebri in most individuals is unknown. Current theories include increased resistance to cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) outflow at the arachnoid granulations that line the dural venous sinuses and through which CSF reabsorption is thought to occur by bulk flow. The increased intracranial pressure associated with pseudotumor cerebri can cause swelling of the optic nerve and result in vision loss.

Complications
As many as 10 percent of the people with pseudotumor cerebri experience progressively worsening vision and may eventually become blind. Even if your symptoms have resolved, a recurrence can occur — months or even years later.

Tests, Diagnosis, and Treatment »