Neurological disorder with increased intracranial pressure in the absence of a tumor or other disorders.Encyclopedia Entry for Pseudotumor Cerebri :Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. The condition occurs more often in women than men, especially in young obese women 20 to 40 years old. It is rare in infants, but can occur in children. Before puberty, it occurs equally in boys and girls. The cause is unknown. Certain medicines can increase the risk of developing this condition. These medicines include: Amiodarone Birth control pills such as levonorgestrel (Norplant) Cyclosporine Cytarabine Growth hormone Isotretinoin Levothyroxine (children) Lithium carbonate Minocycline Nalidixic acid Nitrofurantoin Phenytoin Steroids (starting or stopping them) Sulfa antibiotics Tamoxifen Tetracycline Certain drugs that contain Vitamin A, such as cis-retinoic acid (Accutane) The following factors are also related to this condition: Down syndrome Behcet disease Chronic kidney failure Endocrine (hormone) disorders such as Addison disease , Cushing disease , hypoparathyroidism , polycystic ovary syndrome Following treatment (embolization) of an arteriovenous malformation Infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, Lyme disease, following chickenpox in children Iron deficiency anemia Obesity Obstructive sleep apnea Pregnancy Sarcoidosis (inflammation of the lymph nodes, lungs, liver, eyes, skin, or other tissues) Systemic lupus erythematosis Turner syndrome.Symptoms may include any of the following: Headaches, throbbing, daily, irregular and worse in the morning Neck pain Blurred vision Buzzing sound in the ears (tinnitus) Dizziness Double vision (diplopia) Nausea, vomiting Vision problems such as flashing or even loss of vision Low back pain, radiating along both legs Headaches may get worse during physical activity, especially when you tighten the stomach muscles during coughing or straining.The health care provider will perform a physical exam. Signs of this condition include: Bulging anterior fontanelle in infants Increased head size Swelling of the optic nerve in the back of the eye (papilledema) Inward turning of the eye toward the nose (sixth cranial, or abducens, nerve palsy) Even though there is increased pressure in the skull, there is no change in alertness. Tests that may be done include: Funduscopic examination CT scan of the head Eye exam, including visual field testing MRI of the head with MR venography Lumbar puncture (spinal tap) Diagnosis is made when other health conditions are ruled out. These include conditions that may cause increased pressure in the skull, such as: Hydrocephalus Tumor Venous sinus thrombosis.Treatment is aimed at the cause of the pseudotumor. The main goal of treatments is to preserve vision and reduce the severity of headaches. A lumbar puncture can help relieve pressure in the brain and prevent vision problems. Repeat lumbar punctures are helpful for pregnant women in order to delay surgery until after delivery. Other treatments may include: Fluid or salt restriction Medicines such as corticosteroids, acetazolamide, furosemide, and topiramate Shunting procedures to relieve pressure from spinal fluid buildup Surgery to relieve pressure on the optic nerve Weight loss Treatment of the underlying disease, such as vitamin A overdose People will need to have their vision closely monitored. There can be vision loss, which is sometimes permanent. Follow-up MRI or CT scans may be done to rule out problems such as tumors or hydrocephalus (buildup of fluid inside the skull). In some cases, the pressure inside the brain remains high for many years. Symptoms can return in some people. A small number of people have symptoms that slowly get worse and lead to blindness.Sometimes the condition disappears on its own within 6 months. Symptoms can return in some people. A small number of people have symptoms that slowly get worse and lead to blindness.Vision loss is a serious complication of this condition.Call your provider if you or your child has any of the symptoms listed above.Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension.Central nervous system Central nervous system and peripheral nervous system.Miller NR. Pseudotumor cerebri.