On the forum and in SharePosts, we've had quite a few discussions about pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), akd idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), and it's impact on Migraines and headaches.
The most frequently discussed issue related to IIH is diagnosing it. Some of our readers have experienced family doctors, ophthalmologists, and neurologists telling them that they do NOT have IIH because the don't have papilledema or because it didn't show up on an MRI or CT scan. Not everyone who has IIH has papilledema, nor does it always show on imaging studies. You can read more about this in The ONLY definitive way to diagnose pseudotumor cerebri.
Last week, an online news article caught my attention: "Young mother goes blind 'after doctors diagnose deadly brain condition as headache - SIX times." Yes, you read that right, SIX times!
In England, 19-year-old Rachel Mulhall discovered the dangers of PTC after being misdiagnosed with headache not once, but six times. In July, 2009, Mulhall went to her general practitioner doctor for a headache that she described as "something crushing her head." The diagnosis? Headache. Over the next month, Mulhall saw five more doctors at Medlock Val Medical Practice in Droylsden, Greater Machester; Tameside Hospital; and Mnachester Royal Infirmary. All of these NHS doctors diagnosed her with "headaches" and sent her home.
To find out more, please read Pseudotumor Cerebri: Getting the Diagnosis Right.
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Medical review by John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD.
© Teri Robert, 2010Last updated May 3, 2010
