Pseudotumor Cerebri

The pressure inside your skull can sometimes rise for no apparent reason, resulting in a condition called pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension). Dr. Bernadette Nazario-Lopez, MD, PharmD, at Migraine and Headache Center of Florida in Altamonte Springs, Florida, is an expert in recognizing and treating this condition. With her help, you can minimize symptoms like severe headaches. Call Migraine and Headache Center of Florida today or schedule a consultation online for prompt pseudotumor cerebri diagnosis and treatment.

What is pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension)?

Pseudotumor cerebri, also called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, develops when the pressure inside your skull rises with no apparent cause.

Pseudotumor cerebri can affect children and adults, but obese women of childbearing age are most at risk.

What symptoms does pseudotumor cerebri cause?

Pseudotumor cerebri symptoms include:

• Severe headaches behind the eyes
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness
• Whooshing sounds that pulse with your heartbeat
• Neck, shoulder, or back pain
• Vision problems

Pseudotumor cerebri/idiopathic intracranial hypertension can trigger brief blindness lasting several seconds. It can affect one or both eyes. You might also have trouble seeing to the side, experience double vision, and suffer from visual disturbances like light flashes.

Some patients suffer vision loss and permanent blindness.

How is pseudotumor cerebri diagnosed?

To diagnose pseudotumor cerebri, Dr. Nazario-Lopez reviews your symptoms and medical history, completes a physical exam, and orders tests. These can include:

Eye tests

An eye exam will show a distinctive optic nerve swelling in the back of your eye. A visual field test finds blind spots in your vision. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) takes photos of your eyes and measures the retinal layers’ thickness. 

Brain imaging

An MRI or CT scan can rule out disorders like blood clots and brain tumors that cause similar symptoms to pseudotumor cerebri.

Lumbar puncture (spinal tap)

A lumbar puncture measures intracranial pressure and analyzes your spinal fluid. It involves inserting a needle between two lower back vertebrae to extract a small amount of cerebrospinal fluid for lab testing.

How is pseudotumor cerebri treated?

Pseudotumor cerebri treatment aims to improve the symptoms and prevent your eyesight from getting worse. Dr. Nazario-Lopez might recommend:

Dietary changes

Obese patients will likely benefit from dietary changes, including a low-salt weight-loss diet.

Medications

Diuretics such as acetazolamide which can reduce cerebrospinal fluid production and ease symptoms.

Migraine medications may be helpful for the severe headaches that pseudotumor cerebri causes. Dr. Nazario-Lopez may order oral , subcutaneous (SC), and/or intravenous (IV) migraine medications.

Surgery

Dr. Nazario-Lopez may refer you to a neurosurgeon to treat the elevated pressure if the above has not worked. Neurosurgical procedures may include the following:

• Spinal fluid shunt: a long thin tube to help your brain drain fluid out  
• Venous sinus stenting: to increase the ability of the blood to flow

Call Migraine and Headache Center of Florida today or book an appointment online if you need help with pseudotumor cerebri (idiopathic intracranial hypertension symptoms)