Pseudotumor Cerebri Pathophysiology

Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is an uncommon disorder of raised intracranial pressure of unknown etiology. The signs and symptoms have been well described but the pathogenesis remains a mystery. Most of the evidence suggests increased resistance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow as being pivotal...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Headache 2014-03, Vol.54 (3), p.445-458
Main Authors: McGeeney, Brian E., Friedman, Deborah I.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
cerebral venous system
Female
Humans
idiopathic intracranial hypertension
Male
pathophysiology
pseudotumor cerebri
Pseudotumor Cerebri - cerebrospinal fluid
Pseudotumor Cerebri - physiopathology
retinol
Vitamin A
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Summary:Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is an uncommon disorder of raised intracranial pressure of unknown etiology. The signs and symptoms have been well described but the pathogenesis remains a mystery. Most of the evidence suggests increased resistance to cerebrospinal fluid outflow as being pivotal to the disorder. Any comprehensive theory on causation will have to explain the preponderance of obese women of childbearing age with primary PTCS and lack of ventriculomegaly in the disorder. It is possible that female sex hormones, along with endocrinologically active adipose tissue, directly result in the syndrome, in those genetically predisposed. Aldosterone has been proposed also as important in the development of PTCS. Vitamin A, in the form of retinoic acid, may also play a pivotal role, and is influenced by both estrogen and adipose tissue. This article reviews proposed mechanisms of PTCS.
ISSN:0017-8748
1526-4610
DOI:10.1111/head.12291