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Risk factors
By Mayo Clinic staffThe following factors have been associated with pseudotumor cerebri:
Obesity
Pseudotumor cerebri occurs in about 1 person per 100,000 in the general public. Obese women under the age of 44 are nearly 20 times more likely to develop the disorder.
Medications
Substances that have been linked to pseudotumor cerebri include:
- Growth hormone
- Oral contraceptives
- Tetracycline
- Discontinuation of steroids
- Excess vitamin A
Health problems
The following conditions and diseases have been linked to pseudotumor cerebri:
- Addison's disease
- Head injury
- Kidney disease
- Lupus
- Lyme disease
- Mononucleosis
- Polycystic ovary syndrome
- Sleep apnea
- Underactive parathyroid glands
References
- Lee AG, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri): Clinical features and diagnosis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
- Lee AG, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri): Prognosis and treatment. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
- Lee AG, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri): Epidemiology and pathogenesis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Sept. 29, 2010.
- NINDS pseudotumor cerebri information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/pseudotumorcerebri/pseudotumorcerebri.htm. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Dhungana S, et al. Review article: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 2010;23:71
- Uretsky S. Surgical interventions for idiopathic intracranial hypertension. Current Opinion in Ophthalmology. 2009;20:451.
- Neurological diagnostic tests and procedures. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. http://www.ninds.nih.gov/disorders/misc/diagnostic_tests.htm. Accessed Sept. 30, 2010.
- Papilledema. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merck.com/mmpe/sec09/ch107/ch107e.html. Accessed Oct. 1, 2010.
- Sinclair AJ, et al. Low energy diet and intracranial pressure in women with idiopathic intracranial hypertension: Prospective cohort study. British Medical Journal. 2010;340:2701.
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