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Pseudotumor Cerebri
Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Pseudotumor Cerebriis not the name you expected.
Synonyms
- Benign Intracranial Hypertension
- Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (Primary Intracranial Hypertension)
- Secondary Intrcranial Hypertension
Disorder Subdivisions
- None
General Discussion
Intracranial Hypertension (Pseudotumor cerebri) is characterized by increased pressure inside the skull. Intracranial means inside the skull and hypertension means high fluid pressure. Basically, the pressure of the fluid that surrounds the brain (cerebrospinal fluid or CSF) is too high. Elevated CSF pressure produces severe headache and often visual difficulties, which, if left untreated can result in loss of vision or blindness.
Pseudotumor Cerebri and Benign Intracranial Hypertension are both former names for Intracranial Hypertension (IH) which are now considered inaccurate. These names do not adequately describe the disorder and downplay the seriousness of IH. There are two categories of IH: Primary Intracranial Hypertension and Secondary Intracranial Hypertension.
Primary Intracranial Hypertension, also known as Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), occurs without known cause. This form most often occurs in young, overweight, females in their reproductive years (ages 20-45).
Secondary Intracranial Hypertension has an identifiable, causative agent, including drugs
(such as tetracycline, lithium, Vitamin A-derived oral acne medications, and steroids, especially during withdrawal), growth hormone treatments, excessive ingestion of Vitamin A, sleep apnea and certain systemic diseases such as lupus, leukemia, kidney failure (uremia), meningitis and dural venous sinus thrombosis. Many other causes have been suggested in the medical literature but have not yet been confirmed as true causes.
Although many factors are known to trigger the disease, the mechanism by which IH occurs, in either Primary or Secondary forms, is not known. In many cases, either type of IH may be chronic.
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Resources
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS)
31 Center Drive
8A07
Bethesda
MD
20892-2540
Tel: (301)496-5751
Fax: (301)402-2186
800: (800)352-9424
braininfo@ninds.nih.gov
http://www.ninds.nih.gov/
Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Network
3521 Westbay Drive
Columbus
OH
43231
ptcduncan@juno.com
http://www.findmemyhouse.com/ptc/ptcsn.html
Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation (IHRF)
6517 Buena Vista Dr
Vancouver
WA
98661
USA
Tel: (360)693-4473
Fax: (360)694-7062
info@ihrfoundation.org
http://www.ihrfoundation.org
For a Complete Report:
This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html
The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.
It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.
For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org
Last Updated: 11/11/2008
Copyright 1989, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2002, 2008 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.
WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders
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