Pseudotumor cerebri

Alternative Names: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension

Pseudotumor cerebri is a process affecting the brain that appears to be -- but is not -- a tumor. It is often reversible.

Causes of Pseudotumor cerebri

The condition occurs more often in women than men, especially in obese women who are about to go through menopause. It is rare in infants, but can occur in children.

The cause is unknown.

Certain medicines can increase your risk for this condition. These medicines include:

• Birth control pills
• Cyclosporine
• Isotretinoin
• Minocycline
• Nalidixic acid
• Nitrofurantoin
• Phenytoin
• Steroids (starting or stopping them)
• Sulfa drugs
• Tamoxifen
• Tetracycline
• Vitamin A

The following factors are also related to this condition:

• Addison's disease
• Chronic kidney failure
• Cushing's disease
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Iron deficiency anemia
• Obesity
• Onset of menstruation (menarche)
• Pregnancy

Pseudotumor cerebri Symptoms

Symptoms include:

• Blurred vision
• Buzzing sound in the ears (tinnitus)
• Dizziness
• Double vision (diplopia)
• Nausea
• Vision loss

Symptoms may get worse during physical activity, especially when you tighten the stomach muscles.

Tests and Exams

The doctor will perform a physical exam. Signs of this condition include:

• Bulging anterior fontanelle
• Increased head size
• Swelling of the optic nerve in the back of the eye (papilledema)

Even though there is increased pressure in the skull, there is no change in alertness.

Tests that may be done include:

• CT scan of the head
• Eye exam, incluiding visual field testing
• MRI of the head with MR venography
• Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

The diagnosis is made when other health conditions are ruled out. Several conditions may cause increased pressure in the skull, including:

• Hydrocephalus
• Tumor
• Venous sinus thrombosis

Treatment of Pseudotumor cerebri

Treatment is aimed at the cause of the pseudotumor.

A lumbar puncture can help relieve pressure in the brain and prevent vision problems.

Other treatments may include:

• Fluid or salt restriction
• Medications such as corticosteroids, acetazolamide, and furosemide
• Shunting procedures to relieve pressure from spinal fluid buildup
• Surgery to relieve pressure on the optic nerve
• Weight loss

Patients will need to have their vision closely monitored. There can be vision loss, which is sometimes permanent. Follow-up MRI or CT scans may be done to rule out hidden cancer.

Prognosis (Outlook)

Sometimes the condition disappears on its own within 6 months. About 10-20% of persons have their symptoms return. A small number of patients have symptoms that slowly get worse and lead to blindness.

Potential Complications

Vision loss is a serious complication of this condition.

When to Contact a Health Professional

Call your health care provider if you or your child experiences the symptoms listed above.

DeAngelis LM. Tumors of the central nervous system and intracranial hypertension and hypotension. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 199.

Haslam RHA. Pseudotumor cerebri. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 604.

Rosenberg GA. Brain edema and disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation. In: Bradley WG, Daroff RB, Fenichel GM, Jankovic J, eds. Bradley: Neurology in Clinical Practice. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Butterworth-Heinemann Elsevier; 2008:chap 63.

Dhungana S, Sharrack B, Woodroofe N. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension.Acta Neurol Scand. 2010;121(2):71-82. Epub 2009 Nov 23.

Central nervous system

Review Date: 2/5/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by Joseph V. Campellone, MD, Division of Neurology, Cooper University Hospital, Camden, NJ. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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