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Pseudotumor cerebri - Overview

Alternative Names

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension

Definition of Pseudotumor cerebri:

Pseudotumor cerebri is a process affecting the brain that appears to be -- but is not -- a tumor. It is often reversible.

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)

Central nervous system

Reviewed last on: 3/26/2009
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.

References

Jonnalagadda J. Lithium, minocycline, and pseudotumor cerebri. J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry. March 1, 2005; 44(3): 209.

Behrman RE. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 17th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: WB Saunders; 2004; 2048-2049.

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