Neuro Question???

[mcg02]

Has anyone heard of psedotumor cerebri. If so let me know, MD (neurologist)told me I had this when in ER last month. Is this really bad and how do you get it? I am a relatively healthy 24 yo blacl female with no past medical history, except for fibroids and anemia. Any help is appreciated.

[RN_Amy, RN]

Hey there...

I had never heard of this condition either... so I did a quick Google search... and the following articles/web pages.....

http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/SECT53a.HTM

http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/IIH/pc_index.HTM

http://health.allrefer.com/health/pseudotumor-cerebri-info.html

Hope they help you.... :)

[chris_at_lucas_RN, RN]

Well, I tried all three of those URL's and they all came up with a message that they were not proper URL's and would not open. So......

I googled a little too. Here is a piece I cut from an article, and the URL. The general message seems to be, it's not real, real serious, but get treated PDQ so you can minimize the SE's. Here's what I found....

What is Pseudotumor Cerebri?

Pseudotumor cerebri, also called benign intracranial hypertension, literally means "false brain tumor." It is caused by increased pressure within the brain and is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50. Symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri, which include headache, nausea, vomiting, and pulsating intracranial noises, closely mimic symptoms of brain tumors, possibly because of the abnormal buildup of pressure within the brain.

Is there any treatment?

Treatment for pseudotumor cerebri is generally symptomatic. Pressure may be controlled by removing excess fluid with repeated spinal taps or by shunting. Steroids may be prescribed to reduce swelling of brain tissue. Drugs to reduce cerebrospinal fluid production or hyperosmotic drugs may be used to reduce fluid buildup.

What is the prognosis?

Once the diagnosis is made and the disorder is treated, pseudotumor cerebri generally has no serious consequences. If visual loss occurs, however, it may be permanent regardless of treatment. In some cases, pseudotumor cerebri recurs.

http://www.ninds.nih.gov/health_and_medical/disorders/pseudotumorcerebri_doc.htm

Good luck, hon, and let us know how things turn out!

[IamRN]

Originally posted by RN_Amy

http://www.revoptom.com/handbook/SECT53a.HTMl

http://webeye.ophth.uiowa.edu/dept/IIH/pc_index.HTM

Try them now...they were not formatted correctly.