Often called IIH, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, pseudotumor cerebri is a disorder of unknown etiology which predominantly affects obese women of childbearing age. It is basically increased cranial pressure without a secondary cause (malignancy, for example) and most often presents with symptoms of headache and visual changes (particularly, papilledema). As such, the visual exam (visual field, fundoscopy, motility) is critical for diagnosis, and untreated disease may lead to progressive optic atrophy and blindness. The rest of the neurologic exam, as well as MRI and CT, can often be normal. Increased pressure on cerebrospinal fluid analysis is confirmatory. Treatment varies, but include using a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor (acetazolamide) to lower the ICP, corticosteroids, and surgery (CSF shunt or optic nerve sheath fenestration).

The question I was asked had to do with associated etiologic factors, particularly oral progestational drugs. Other associated conditions are mastoiditis and lateral sinus thrombosis, head trauma, marantic sinus thrombosis, cryofibrinogenemia, Addison disease, hypoparathyroidism, tetracycline therapy, and hypervitaminosis A.