Etiology of Pseudotumor cerebri

There are many explanations for the development of pseudotumor cerebri, including alterations in CSF absorption and production, cerebral edema, abnormalities in vasomotor control and cerebral blood flow, and venous obstruction.

The causes of pseudotumor are numerous and include

metabolic disorders (galactosemia, hypoparathyroidism, pseudohypoparathyroidism, hypophosphatasia,

prolonged corticosteroid therapy or too rapid corticosteroid withdrawal,

possibly growth hormone treatment,

refeeding of a significantly malnourished child,

hypervitaminosis A,

vitamin A deficiency,

Addison disease,

obesity,

menarche,

oral contraceptives, and pregnancy),

infections (roseola infantum, sinusitis, chronic otitis media and mastoiditis, Guillain-Barré syndrome),

drugs (nalidixic acid, doxycycline, minocycline, tetracycline, nitrofurantoin),

isotretinoin used for acne therapy especially when combined with tetracycline,

hematologic disorders (polycythemia, hemolytic and iron-deficiency anemias, Wiskott-Aldrich syndrome),

obstruction of intracranial drainage by venous thrombosis (lateral sinus or posterior sagittal sinus thrombosis),

head injury, and

obstruction of the superior vena cava.

When a secondary cause is not identified, the condition is classified as “idiopathic intracranial hypertension.”