Table of Contents
- Overview
- Symptoms
- Treatment
- Prevention
- Images
Pseudotumor cerebri is a process affecting the brain that appears to be -- but is not -- a tumor. It is often reversible.
Alternative Names
Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
The condition occurs more frequently in women than men, particularly in premenopausal obese women. It is rare in infants.
The cause is unknown. Certain medicines can increase your risk for this condition. These medicines include:
- Birth control pills
- Tetracycline
- Nitrofurantoin
- Phenytoin
- Sulfa drugs
- Isotretinoin
- Minocycline
- Tamoxifen
- Nalidixic acid
- Lithium
- Steroids (starting or stopping them)
The following factors also associated with this condition:
- Anemia from iron deficiency
- Being overweight or obese
- Chronic kidney failure
Cushing’s disease Hypoparathyroidism Hypothyroidism - Onset of menstruation (menarche)
- Pregnancy
- Vitamin A (too much or too little)
Images
Review Date: 03/26/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of
General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington
School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant
Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of
Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David
Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
