Pseudotumor cerebri sine papilledema with unilateral sixth nerve palsy

J Neuroophthalmol. 1998 Mar;18(1):53-5.

Abstract

A 17-year-old woman presented with a history of 1-week of headache and 3 days of horizontal diplopia. Examination revealed 20/20 vision in both eyes, no papilledema, and an abduction deficit in her left eye. Lumbar puncture revealed an opening pressure of 440 mm H2O. After treatment with acetazolamide, the headache and abduction deficit resolved. Papilledema never developed. This is a unique case of pseudotumor cerebri sine papilledema with a unilateral abduction deficit. We suggest that young women with headache and unilateral abduction deficits may be unrecognized cases of pseudotumor cerebri.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Abducens Nerve*
  • Acetazolamide / therapeutic use
  • Adolescent
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / complications
  • Cranial Nerve Diseases / drug therapy
  • Diplopia
  • Female
  • Headache
  • Humans
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / complications
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / drug therapy
  • Optic Nerve
  • Papilledema / complications
  • Paralysis / complications*
  • Paralysis / drug therapy
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / complications*
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / drug therapy
  • Spinal Puncture
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Acetazolamide