Work up of the patient with suspected pseudotumor cerebri syndrome

Abstract

SummaryWhile various etiologies of secondary pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) have been recognized (e.g. venogenic,endocrine) the pathogenesis of primary PTCS remains unknown. The diagnostic criteria of PTCS has been revised (Modified Dandy criteria) in 2013 mainly owing to the increasingly recognized imaging features of the disease. This lecture will present the different etiologies of increased intracranial pressure. We will discuss the diagnostic workup of typical vs. atypical patients suspected of having PTCS. We will highlight red flags that should alert the clinician to pseudotumor cerebri mimics that carry serious neuro‐ophthalmological consequences and require high index of clinical suspicion. Finally, the take home massages and some of the difficult diagnostic dilemmas will be demonstrated through illustrative case presentations.