Abstract:

Background: Pseudotumor cerebri is a common disease in reproductive-age women characterized by increased intracranial pressure. The aim of our study was to investigate the clinical and demographic characteristics of pseudotumor cerebri patients from Erzurum and nearby provinces living in eastern Turkey. Methods: In our study, the records of 27 patients from Erzurum and nearby provinces, followed-up with the diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri at the Ataturk University, Neurology Outpatient Clinic between January 2015 and December 2018, were retrospectively reviewed. The diagnosis of the patients was made with modified Dandy criteria. Results: Of the patients, 23 (85.18%) were female and 4 (14.81%) were male. The mean age was 38.75 in females and 48.25 in males. Of the patients, 17 (62.96%) had headache, 14 (51.85%) had blurred vision, 4 (14.81%) had double vision, 5 (18.51%) had nausea and vomiting, 3 (11.11%) had tinnitus. Fundus examination revealed unilateral papilledema in 3 (11.11%) patients and bilateral papilledema in 24 (88.88%) patients. The mean CSF pressure measurement was 348.33 mmH2O. Magnetic resonance venography showed unilateral hypoplasia of the transverse sinus in 5 (18.51%) patients. Distention of the perioptic subarachnoid space was the most common finding on Magnetic resonance Imaging examinations with 62.96% (n=17). Obesity and history of drug use were found to be the etiological causes in 8 and 3 patients, respectively, while the etiology could not be determined in 16 patients. Conclusion: The most common symptom is headache and findings is papillary edema in patients. Neuroimaging does not show parenchymal or meningeal pathology, but findings that support the diagnosis are observed. Since the most important complication of the disease is loss of vision, early diagnosis is important to maintain visual functions.