Medi-Fax Health Information Center

What is it?

     Pseudotumour Cerebri is a condition characterized by a gradual increase in intra cranial pressure over a time of weeks to months with an unknown cause. It is not a brain tumour and it is named "pseudotumor" since the patients commonly present with similar features to those with true brain tumours.

Who is affected?

     Pseudotumour cerebri affects the general population at a rate of 1 person per 100,000. Overweight, young women appear to be more suceptable and they are 8x more likely than the general population to be affected by pseudotumour cerebri.

What are the signs and symptoms?

     Patients develop a dull pressure headache often in the back of their heads. It may or may not be associated with some blurred vision, double vision, or numbness of the face on one side. On examination the patient with pseudotumour cerebri is found to have papilledema. Papilledema is described as swelling and inflamation of the optic nerve as it enters the eyeball.

What tests may be done?

     A CT scan or MRI should be done in these patients to exclude the possibility of a brain tumour. A lumbar puncture will be used to establish the elevated intracranial pressure and it may be useful to rule out infections or autoimmune diseases.

What is the treatment?

     Weight reduction is advised. Medications are prescribed to lower the intracranial pressure - they may include corticosteriods such as Prednisone, glycerol, or "water pills" such as furosemide. About 10% of patients may require a lumbar-periotoneal shunt, which releases the pressure into the abdomen. If the patient's vision is rapidly decreasing then an ophthalmologist may be involved in an operative procedure to relieve the pressure in the optic nerve. It is important to consult your doctor if you think you have these symptoms.

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