Papilledema

Papilledema
Papilloedema
Classification and external resources
File:Papilloedema.jpg
Fundal photograph showing severe papilloedema in the right eye
ICD-10 H47.1
ICD-9 377.0
DiseasesDB 9580
eMedicine oph/187
MeSH D010211

Papilledema (or papilloedema) is optic disc swelling that is caused by increased intracranial pressure. The swelling is usually bilateral and can occur over a period of hours to weeks. Unilateral presentation is extremely rare.

In intracranial hypertension, papilledema most commonly occurs bilaterally. When papilledema is found on fundoscopy, further evaluation is warranted as vision loss can result if the underlying condition is not treated. Further evaluation with a CT or MRI of the brain and/or spine is usually performed. Unilateral papilledema can suggest orbital pathology, such as an optic nerve glioma.

Contents

Signs and symptoms

Fundal photograph showing less severe papilledema

Papilledema may be asymptomatic or present with headache in the early stages. However it may progress to enlargement of the blind spot, blurring of vision, visual obscurations (inability to see in a particular part of the visual field for a period of time) and ultimately total loss of vision may occur.

The signs of papilledema that are seen using an ophthalmoscope include

  • venous engorgement (usually the first signs)
  • loss of venous pulsation
  • hemorrhages over and / or adjacent to the optic disc
  • blurring of optic margins
  • elevation of optic disc
  • Paton's lines = radial retinal lines cascading from the optic disc
  • If papilloedema persists for months, the disc hyperaemia subsides giving way to a grey or pale discthat loses its central cup. with time, the disc may develop small glistening crystalline deposits (disc pseudodrusen)

On visual field examination, the physician may elicit an enlarged blind spot; the visual acuity may remain relatively intact until papilledema is severe or prolonged.

Diagnosis

Checking the eyes for signs of papilledema should be carried out whenever there is a clinical suspicion of raised intracranial pressure, and is recommended in newly onset headaches. This may be done by ophthalmoscopy or slit lamp examination.

Causes

Pathophysiology

As the optic nerve sheath is continuous with the subarachnoid space of the brain (and is regarded as an extension of the central nervous system), increased pressure is transmitted through to the optic nerve. The brain itself is relatively spared from pathological consequences of high pressure. However, the anterior end of the optic nerve stops abruptly at the eye. Hence the pressure is asymmetrical and this causes a pinching and protrusion of the optic nerve at its head. The fibers of the retinal ganglion cells of the optic disc become engorged and bulge anteriorly. Persistent and extensive optic nerve head swelling, or optic disc edema, can lead to loss of these fibers and permanent visual impairment.

Treatment

The treatment depends largely on the underlying cause. However, the root cause of papilledema is the increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This is a dangerous sign, indicative of a brain tumor, CNS inflammation or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) that may become manifest in the near future.

Thus, a biopsy is routinely performed prior to the treatment in the initial stages of papilledema to detect whether a brain tumor is present. If detected, laser treatment, radiation and surgeries can be used to treat the tumor.

To decrease ICP, medications can be administered by increasing the absorption of Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), or decreasing its production. Such medicines include diuretics like acetazolamide and lasix. These diuretics, along with surgical interventions, can also treat IIH. In IIH, weight loss (even a loss of 10-15%) can lead to normalization of ICP.

Meanwhile, steroids can reduce inflammation (if this is a contributing factor to increased ICP), and may help to prevent vision loss. However, steroids have also been known to cause increased ICP, especially with a change in dosage. However, if a severe inflammatory condition exist, such as multiple sclerosis, steroids with anti-inflammatory effects such as Methylprednisolone and prednisone can help.

Other treatments include repeated lumbar punctures to remove excess spinal fluid in the cranium. The removal of potentially causative medicines including tetracyclines and vitamin A analogues may help decrease ICP, however this is only necessary if the medication is truly felt to contribute to ICP increase.

References

  1. ^ Cameron AJ (1933). "Marked papilloedema in pulmonary emphysema". Br J Ophthalmol 17 (3): 167–9. doi:10.1136/bjo.17.3.167. PMC 511527. PMID 18169104. http://www.pubmedcentral.nih.gov/articlerender.fcgi?tool=pmcentrez&artid=511527.  Full text at PMC: 511527

External links


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • papilledema — (n.) also papilloedema, 1908, from PAPILLA (Cf. papilla) + EDEMA (Cf. edema) …   Etymology dictionary

  • papilledema — Swelling around the optic disk, the area where the optic nerve (the nerve that carries messages from the eye to the brain) enters the eyeball. Papilledema occurs when increased brain pressure caused by tumors or other problems results in swelling …   English dictionary of cancer terms

  • papilledema — noun A swelling of the optic disc caused by intracranial pressure …   Wiktionary

  • Papilledema — Swelling around the optic nerve, usually due to pressure on the nerve by a tumor. * * * Edema of the optic disk, often due to increased intracranial pressure. SYN: choked disk. [papilla + edema] * * * pap·il·le·de·ma or chiefly Brit… …   Medical dictionary

  • papilledema — pap·il·ledema …   English syllables

  • papilledema — noun swelling of the optic disc (where the optic nerve enters the eyeball); usually associated with an increase in intraocular pressure • Hypernyms: ↑edema, ↑oedema, ↑hydrops, ↑dropsy …   Useful english dictionary

  • papillary stasis — papilledema …   Medical dictionary

  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension — Classification and external resources For IIH to be diagnosed, brain scans (such as MRI) must be performed to ensure there is no underlying cause for the increased pressure around the brain ICD 10 …   Wikipedia

  • Craniosynostosis — Classification and external resources Child with premature closure (craniosynostosis) of the lambdoid suture. Notice the swelling on the right side of the head ICD 10 …   Wikipedia

  • Pediatric pseudotumor cerebri — Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a condition of increased intracranial pressure with normal cerebral spinal fluid (CSF) composition and no underlying structural abnormalities. PTC can be secondary to an underlying etiology (e.g., medication,… …   Wikipedia

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