[Papilledema and acute loss of vision in a patient with pseudotumor cerebri].

PATIENT

We report on a 30-year old female with bilateral visual loss within four days. She assured that she had been able to do computer-work until four days before presentation. Ophthalmoscopy and echography established the diagnosis of a bilateral papilledema. Visual acuity was 20/500 in both eyes. Perimetry revealed a small central residual visual field. Further examinations lead to the diagnosis of a primary pseudotumor cerebri.

CLINICAL COURSE AND THERAPY

Conservative treatment of the elevated intracranial pressure and ventriculo-peritoneal shunting improved visual acuity and visual field and lead to a decrease of the papilledema. Follow up time was 30 months.

CONCLUSION

In a small number of patients pseudotumor cerebri presents with an acute visual loss. Immediate diagnosis and therapy can lead to an improvement of vision.