Pseudotumor Cerebri (IIH) - The Basics

• dural venous sinus thrombosis
• kidney failure
• Leukemia
• Lupus
• excess Vitamin A
• growth hormone treatments
• nasal fluticasone propionate

Treatment:

• Medications, commonly medications with diuretic actions. (Diamox is a common choice.)
• Discontinuing medications that can exacerbate the condition. (Includes oral contraceptives and some steroids)
• Weight loss
• When medications fail to control the CSF pressure, therapeutic shunting, which involves surgically inserting a draining tube from the spinal fluid space in the lower spine into the abdominal cavity, may be needed to remove excess fluid and relieve pressure.

Prognosis:
Close, repeated ophthalmologic exams are required to monitor any changes in vision. Surgery may be needed to remove pressure on the optic nerve. The disorder may cause progressive, permanent visual loss in some patients.

How does PTC relate to headaches and Migraine and their treatment?
PTC can cause headaches and/or trigger Migraines. It can also keep headache and Migraine preventives from working properly.

Also from our "Basics" series:

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Resources:

• National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. NINDS Pseudotumor Cerebri Information Page. Bethesda. 2006.
• Pseudotumor Cerebri Support Network.
• Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation.
• Bond, DW; Charlton, CPJ; Gregso, RM.  "Benign intracranial hypertension secondary to nasal fluticasone propionate." BMJ 2001; 322: 897

© Teri Robert, 2007.

Last updated November 5, 2007.