PSEUDO TUMOR CEREBRI OF VARYING ETIOLOGIES: CLINICAL LABORATORY AND NEUROIMAGING STUDIES

Abstract

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a syndrome characterized by an elevated intr cranial pressure with absence of focal intracranial lesion, infective process or hydrocephalus. The present study aimed to detennine the role of MRV in demonstrating cerebral venous sinus obstruction in cases of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) of varying etiologies and to correlate the resultant data with the clinical signs and CSF opening pressure measured by LP. Moreover, we will compare the diagnostic sensitivity of MRV versus conventional MRI of the brain in detecting cerebral venous sinus obstruction in cases of PTC. Forty adult Egyptian patients (34 females and 6 males) with symptoms and signs consistent with diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri were included in our study. All patients were subjected to MRI, MRV, perimetry, lumbar puncture pressure assessment. The results showed a higher incidence of obesity, empty sella and sinus abnormalities in MRV in those patients. In conclusion: magnetic resonance venography (MRV) is a useful non­ invasive neuroimaging technique for demonstrating cerebral sinus abnormalities in cases of PTC.