= PSEUDOTUMOR CEREBRI = BENIGN INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION (BIH)

Pathophysiology:

1. elevation in blood volume (85%)
2. decrease in regional cerebral blood flow with delayed CSF absorption (10%)

Etiology:

1. Sinovenous occlusive disease, SVC occlusion, obstruction of dural sinus, obstruction of both internal jugular veins
2. Dural AVM
3. S/P brain biopsy with edema
4. Endocrinopathies
5. Hypervitaminosis A
6. Hypocalcemia
7. Menstrual dysfunction, pregnancy, menarche, birth control pills
8. Drug therapy

Predilection for: obese young to middle-aged women

• headache
• papilledema
• elevated opening pressures on lumbar puncture (normal range of 80–180 mm H₂O in horizontal lateral decubitus position)
• normal ventricular size / pinched ventricles
• increased volume of subarachnoid space