Pseudotumor cerebri

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Central nervous system

Pseudotumor cerebri is a process affecting the brain that appears to be -- but is not -- a tumor. It is often reversible.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Benign intracranial hypertension

The condition occurs more frequently in women than men, particularly in premenopausal obese women. It is rare in infants.

The cause is unknown. Certain medicines can increase your risk for this condition. These medicines include:

• Birth control pills
• Tetracycline
• Nitrofurantoin
• Phenytoin
• Sulfa drugs
• Isotretinoin
• Minocycline
• Tamoxifen
• Nalidixic acid
• Lithium
• Steroids (starting or stopping them)

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The following factors also associated with this condition:

• Anemia from iron deficiency
• Being overweight or obese
• Chronic kidney failure
• Cushing’s disease
• Hypoparathyroidism
• Hypothyroidism
• Onset of menstruation (menarche)
• Pregnancy
• Vitamin A (too much or too little)

Review Date: 03/26/2009
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and Daniel B. Hoch, PhD, MD, Assistant Professor of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).