Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a condition in which the pressure
from the cerebral spinal fluid inside your head is elevated.
This can cause problems such as headaches, blurred vision, or
loss of vision. The condition is known as pseudotumor cerebri
because symptoms can mimic those of an intracranial tumor. The
cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) is a clear fluid that bathes the
brain and spinal cord. In cases of PTC, this fluid is blocked
from flowing back from the head as it should, leading to high
CSF pressure inside the head. The pressure swells the optic disc
at the back of the eye, which can damage (sometimes permanently)
the optic nerve and cause vision loss. It can also damage the
nerves that control eye movement, resulting in double vision.
The causes of PTC are not certain, but they may include the
following: - hormonal influences, in young women - high doses of
vitamin A The most common symptoms of PTC are headache and
visual loss. The headache can be located anywhere, but is
usually in the back of the head.