Pseudotumor cerebri

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Central nervous system

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension

Treatment must be directed at the specific cause of the pseudotumor.

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

Other treatments may include:

• Fluid or salt restrictions
• Medications such as corticosteroids, glycerol, acetazolamide, and furosemide
• Shunting procedures to relieve pressure due to spinal fluid retention
• Surgery to relieve pressure on the optic nerve
• Weight loss

The patient will need their vision closely monitored, since there is potential for progressive and sometimes permanent visual loss. Follow-up MRI or CT scans may be done to rule out hidden cancer.

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.

Vision loss is a serious complication of this condition.

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

Review Date: 03/05/2007
Reviewed By: Daniel Kantor, M.D., Director of the Comprehensive MS Center, Neuroscience Institute, University of Florida Health Science Center, Jacksonville, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.