ABSTRACT
Background: The syndrome known as pseudotumor cerebri [PTC] is generally thought of as a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure [ICP] without evidence of dilated ventricles or a mass lesion by imaging, normal cerebrospinal fluid [CSF] content, and papilledema occurring in most cases in young, obese women without any clear explanation
Aim of the Work: to highlight the early diagnosis, causes of visual deterioration of idiopathic intracranial hypertension, its pathophysiology will be discussed. Special emphasis will be given for trends in management of this disease especially frequent tapping and lumboperitoneal shunt and comparing results of both techniques
Patients and Methods: This prospective and retrospective study was conducted on 20 patients of special criteria confirmed to have pseudotumor cerebri by clinical presentation, radiological findings, fundus and visual field examination
Results: The papilledema of PTC was identical with that in patients with other causes of increased ICP. In most of cases it was bilateral symmetrical, however it was asymmetric in 1% of cases. In the frequent tapping patients group, results showed improvement of all symptoms in about 80% of patients. And in 20% of patients there were persistent complaints especially headache and blurred vision. In the lumboperitoneal shunt group, 65% of Cases showed improvement of all symptoms while 35% of cases showed shunt failure and complications
Conclusion: Concerning the category of patients participated in this study, and particularly with whom medical measures were failing, consideration should be given to investigation of the cranial venous outflow tract with a view to some therapeutic intervention if appropriate