Pseudotumor

About 3 weeks ago I went to get my eyes checked out. I get frequent headaches so thought I might need glasses. The eye doctor referred me to an opthamalogist. She named a couple different things she thought could be causing my headaches, one being pseudotumor. I went to the opthamalogist and he said the same things, there is swelling in my optic nerve I believe. I was then sent to a neuro-opthamalogist. He showed me the swelling and said there may be pressure in my brain causing the headaches. I now have to go have a MRI done. Depending on the results of the MRI I may have to get a spinal tap done.  When I asked questions they just keep saying they can't tell me much until the results come back. I try not to worry myself but its hard when I don't understand a lot. Does pressure in the brain have anything to do with pseudotumor? And if its not pseudotumor is there anything else that it may be?

[John C Hagan III, MD, FACS, FAAO]

Use the search feature and read about "pseudotumor cerebri". also go to emedicine and read the section there. Its common. It is generally treated with a medication called Diamox although if the pressure is extremely high they may drain off spinal fluid.  Also important to rule out swelling due to things like brain tumors thus the MRI.

JCH MD