The Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome
Pseudotumor Cerebri, Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension, Benign Intracranial Hypertension and Related Conditions

Three clinicians with extensive experience of pseudotumor cerebri provide a comprehensive review of the condition.

Ian Johnston (Author), Brian Owler (Author), John Pickard (Author)

9780521869195, Cambridge University Press

Hardback, published 12 April 2007

368 pages, 42 b/w illus. 2 colour illus. 30 tables
25.4 x 18 x 2.4 cm, 0.9 kg

'The book is well written and easy to read. Many points are illustrated by case descriptions, allowing the reader to understand the complex nosology of these syndromes as well as the debate regarding mechanisms … This book will be of great interest to neurologists, opthalmologists, neurosurgeons and neurophysiologists, particularly those clinicans and researchers interested in cerebrospinal-fluid absorption disorders.' British Journal of Ophthalmology

The condition known most widely as pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is of diagnostic interest and clinical importance not just to neurosurgeons, but also to neurologists, ophthalmologists and headache specialists. Variously called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, benign intracranial hypertension, and other names over the century or so since it was first recognised, the authors argue for the grouping of all these conditions under the name of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome on the basis of a common underlying mechanism - an impairment of CSF absorption due to abnormalities at the CSF/venous interface. The book reviews the development of ideas around some of the more contentious issues and deals in depth with aetiology, investigative findings and strategies, treatment and outcome, and in the concluding chapter, considers the possibility of establishing an experimental model to facilitate analysis of the unresolved issues, and pointing the way to a more complete understanding of this controversial condition.

1. Introduction
2. History of the pseudotumor cerebri concept
3. Disease mechanism
4. Nosology, nomenclature, and classification
5. Aetiology
6. Clinical features
7. Clinical investigations
8. Treatment
9. Outcome
10. Experimental studies
11. Conclusions
12. Bibliography.

Subject Areas: Ophthalmology [MJQ], Neurology & clinical neurophysiology [MJN]