Pseudotumor Cerebri
As you may already know this condition is considered in most cases to be idiopathic as it is not known what causes it or when it will strike. The condition is benign in the sense that you will not die from it and in many instances it improves over time. The primary role which the standard of medical care places on the medical practitioners who you seek care from is to diagnose it promptly and treat it either with medical therapy if time and the seriousness of its stage permits or surgical intervention to preserve vision.
Most neurologists, ophthalmologists, Neuro-Opthamologists, and even emergency room physicians would expect a prompt CAT scan or MRI to be followed by a lumbar puncture immediately thereafter. The imaging study should be done within 24 hours if not immediately and the lubar puncture very shortly thereafter. Unless vision is already too compromised to wait, medication combined with an aggressive weight loss program is very often enough to reduce the pressure on you optic nerve. It is the unremitting pressure on your optic nerve which if left unchecked can produce permanent visual loss. Accordingly, any significant delay in diagnosing your condition or appropriately treating it smacks of negligence and many jurisdictions across the country have been venues for substantial monetary recoveries against the offending medical practitioners.
What is Pseudotumor cerebri?
Pseudotumor cerebri stand for false tumor of the brain. It is also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension.
What is Pseudotumor cerebri due to?
Although the cause is unknown, Pseudotumor cerebri occurs when the pressure in a person’s skull increases for no apparent reason due to buildup or poor absorption of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF).
Cerebrospinal fluid is fluid that provides a cushion to protect your brain and if there is too much of it, it causes an increase in the pressure in your skull.
Who does Pseudotumor cerebri commonly affect?
Pseudotumor cerebri can occur in children and adults, but is most common in women between the ages of 20 and 50.
What are the risk factors that can lead to Pseudotumor Cerebri?
Taking certain medications may predispose one to Pseudotumor Cerebri. This includes medications such as tetracycline, tamoxifen, lithium and corticosteroids.
What are the common symptoms of Pseudotumor cerebri?
The increased pressure in the skull can squeeze your optic nerve (a nerve responsible for vision) and cause vision loss.
The most common symptom with Pseudotumor Cerebri is that of a severe headache. The headache may be described as throbbing in nature. Other symptoms of associated with Pseudotumor Cerebri include episodes of blindness, blurred or dimmed vision, double vision, nausea, vomiting and ringing in your ears. Symptoms can worsen with exercises, particularly abdominal exercises.
What tests are done to evaluate for Pseudotumor Cerebri?
Evaluation for Pseudotumor Cerebri will include an eye exam where the physician will look for papilledema, which is a swelling of the optic disc. Visual fields testing can evaluate for blind spots and advanced diagnostic imaging such as CT Scan or MRI scan can rule out other causes of the symptoms. A lumbar puncture may be performed which gives the physician information regarding the pressure inside your skull.
What is the prognosis of Pseudotumor Cerebri?
Pseudotumor Cerebri can cause progressive, permanent visual loss in some patients. In some cases, Pseudotumor cerebri recurs.
What are the treatments for Pseudotumor Cerebri?
Sometimes medications can reduce the pressure in your skull, but Pseudotumor Cerebri may require surgery. Two types of surgeries are performed. One type of surgery for Pseudotumor Cerebri is called optic nerve sheath fenestration and the other involves inserting a shunt. Both surgeries are to help reduce the amount of CSF to help reduce pressure in your skull.
How is the loss of vision medical negligence?
The failure of a physician or emergency room to consider and screen for the condition when symptoms are present is the usual failure which puts the patient at risk for visual loss. Sometimes the failure to monitor their patient's visual status over time to make sure that surgery is not indicated earlier in order to prevent avoidable visual loss is the culprit.
Why do I need an attorney?
Where law and medicine intersect, your lawyer stands in the breach. As a patient you want and need quality medical care and treatment, particularly for those injuries which are serious or may become so in the absence thereof. As a injured party seeking financial compensation along with a measure of justice, the importance of medical documentation is the primary tool which your lawyer may use to accomplish this.
Is Presettlement funding available?
Medical malpractice sometimes involves unique provisions of the law and procedure further complicated by the medical-legal issues present. Even where liability seems reasonably clear insurance companies obligated to pay damages on behalf of those they insure often vigorously defend such claims. As a result, there are some situations where presettlement funding may be appropriate to provide a vital lifeline in order to obtain important related medical care or to stay financially afloat. In most jurisdictions a lawyer may not ethically lend you money or pay your bills.
Websites for Pseudotumor Cerebri information:
Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation