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Definition
By Mayo Clinic staffPseudotumor cerebri (SOO-doh-too-mur SER-uh-bry) occurs when the pressure inside your skull (intracranial pressure) increases for no obvious reason. Symptoms mimic those of a brain tumor, but no tumor is present. Pseudotumor cerebri can occur in children and adults, but it's most common in obese women of childbearing age.
When no underlying cause for the increased intracranial pressure can be discovered, pseudotumor cerebri may also be called idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
The increased intracranial pressure associated with pseudotumor cerebri can cause swelling of the optic nerve and result in vision loss. Medications often can reduce this pressure, but in some cases, surgery is necessary.
Symptoms- NINDS pseudotumor cerebri information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pseudotumorcerebri/pseudotumorcerebri.htm. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Stebbins GT, et al. Headache. In Goetz CG. Textbook of Clinical Neurology. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/105339567-3/0/1488/451.html?tocnode=53805161&fromURL=451.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3618-0..10053-0--s0290_4630. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Kwiatkowski T, et al. Headache. In: Marx JA. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby Elsevier; 2006. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/105359053-3/750608143/1365/305.html#4-u1.0-B0-323-02845-4..50106-2--cesec45_5292. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- Chapman K, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri) in children. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 22, 2008.
- What is IH? Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation. http://www.ihrfoundation.org/intracranial/hypertension/info/C16. Accessed Sept. 23, 2008.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Sept. 23, 2008.
- Daniels AB, et al. Profiles of obesity, weight gain and quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). American Journal of Ophthalmology. 2007;143(4):635-41.
