Pseudo cerebral tumor what is it

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Pseudotumor cerebri SOO-doe-too-mur SER-uh-bry occurs when the pressure inside your skull intracranial pressure increases for no obvious reason. Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Pseudotumor cerebri information page. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke.

Accessed July 31, Lee AG, et al. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension pseudotumor cerebri : Clinical features and diagnosis. Prompt diagnosis and treatment of pseudotumor cerebri is important since it may lead to progressive and possibly permanent loss of vision. The fluid that surrounds the spinal cord and brain is called cerebrospinal fluid or CSF. Cerebrospinal fluid supplies the brain and spinal cord with nutrients and removes impurities while protecting and cushioning these delicate structures.

Normally, after circulating, CSF is reabsorbed into the body through blood vessels. But if too much fluid is produced or not enough is re-absorbed, the CSF can build up and cause pressure within the skull, which is an enclosed space.

This pressure can cause symptoms similar to those of a brain tumor, including worsening headache and vision problems. Untreated pseudotumor cerebri can result in permanent problems such as vision loss. Since exertion can increase pressure inside the skull, symptoms can become worse with exercise or physical activity.

Pseudotumor cerebri symptoms may resemble those of many other medical problems. Always consult an experienced specialist for a diagnosis. Headaches associated with this disorder may vary from person to person. Often, pseudotumor cerebri headaches often occur at the back of the head and start as a dull pain, which tends to be worse at night or first thing in the morning.

Common headaches such as migraine or tension headaches can coexist with pseudotumor cerebri, which can complicate the diagnosis. Doctors are likely to diagnose these frequently seen disorders until a more detailed examination or further testing reveals PTC. Vision problems in pseudotumor cerebri evolve slowly over time, with temporary episodes of visual blurring that can start in the peripheral field of vision. If the pressure continues to build up, the nerves affecting eye movement can also be affected causing double vision.

The individual may not even notice until later in the clinical course of the disorder when the central field of vision is involved and the symptoms become constant. At this point there is a growing risk of blindness.

Although experts don't know why this condition develops, here are other conditions that are commonly seen in people with the disorder:. Female sex : Women are nine times more likely to have pseudotumor cerebri than men. A complete eye exam with visual field testing is necessary in diagnosing pseudotumor cerebri syndrome because the treatment is largely determined by the patient's vision status.

Common treatments include a diuretic called acetazolamide Diamox , repeat lumbar punctures to drain cerebrospinal fluid, or changing the medications thought to be causing the problem. A brain scan—usually magnetic resonance imaging MRI —of a person with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome should be normal. If a brain scan is abnormal, a different diagnosis may be considered.

Often, the veins in the brain are imaged as well using a venogram to be sure that there is no clot in the veins within the brain or neck. Finally, a lumbar puncture spinal tap will show high pressure in the cerebrospinal fluid with normal spinal fluid contents. Because headaches are common in young women—and the headaches of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome may resemble migraines—the diagnosis may be missed initially if a careful history is not taken and the eyes are not carefully examined for swelling of the optic nerves.

Pseudotumor cerebri without optic nerve swelling may be a different disease process than pseudotumor cerebri with optic nerve swelling. For example, patients who experience typical symptoms of the condition, such as chronic headaches, but without swelling of the optic nerves at the time of diagnosis frequently do not improve with the treatments typically used for pseudotumor cerebri syndrome.

Treatments include medications, surgery, and addressing any secondary cause—such as high sodium, obesity, or medications known to produce high spinal fluid pressure. The main goal of treatment is to prevent or reverse visual loss.