3. Papilloedema
Definition
It is a passive oedema of the optic disc due to
increased ICP. It is almost always bilateral without
visual deficits.
Disc oedema is used for other forms of optic disc
swelling caused by inflammation, stasis or toxic
substances.
Pathologically papilloedema closely resembles disc
oedema not related to increased ICP.
5. Papilloedema
Aetiology
I. Increased intracranial pressure
1. Increased intracranial total mass volume:
Space occupying lesion: Brain tumours
Infratentorial: cerebellum & 4th ventricle
(obstruction through aqueduct).
Supratentorial: 3rd ventricle tumours.
6. Papilloedema
Aetiology
I. Increased intracranial pressure
1. Increased intracranial total mass volume
Less likely with brainstem and base of skull
tumours, parietal, occipital and parasagittal
tumours.
Rare with pituitary tumours.
Only 60% of patients with cerebral tumours
have papilloedema.
7. Papilloedema
Aetiology
I. Increased intracranial pressure
2. Increased protein content of CSF
Increased CSF osomotic pressure and
blocking absorptive pathways.
e.g. spinal tumours, Guillain-Barre syndrome,
meningitis, encephalitis.
19. Papilloedema
Pathogenesis
Controversial
Mechanical rather than vascular phenomenon.
Old theory
Increased CSF pressure vaginal sheaths of ON
CRV compression in perineural subarachnoid
space stagnation of venous return vascular
congestion and oedema.
20. Papilloedema
Pathogenesis:
Controversial
Hayreh
Increased ICP p. in perineural subarachnooid
space CSF diffuses into ON tissue pressure
axoplasmic flow block at lamina cribrosa ON
fiber swelling in ONH & leakage of H2O, proteins &
other axoplasmic contents into the extracellular
space of prelaminar region of ON.
44. Papilloedema
Clinical picture
Ophthalmoscopic appearance
The Friesen scale for grading papilledema:
Stage 0. Blurring of superior and inferior poles of disc.
Stage 1. Obscuration of nasal borders of disc, graying opacity of radial NFL,
concentric folds.
Stage 2. Obscuration of all borders and nasal elevation.
Stage 3. Moderate obscuration and elevation of all borders and some vessels,
leaving the disc with an early peripapillary halo.
Stage 4. Dome-shaped protrusion (champagne cork appearance) of the disc
with smoothly demarcated peripapillary halo and total obliteration of disc vessels
as well as the cup. There may also be marked hyperemia, vessel tortuosity,
hemorrhages, hard exudates, and cotton wool spots
47. Papilloedema
Clinical picture
Visual field changes
- Enlargement of blind spot.
- Visual field defect caused by the underlying lesion.
- Late: Progressive visual field defects; optic
atrophy: constriction of peripheral field/NF bundle
defects.
Other signs
49. Papilloedema
Clinical picture
E.O. muscle palsies
- 6th nerve; false localizing
Unilateral/bilateral
Long course, P at petrous temporal bone
diplopia, ET.
Sometimes intermittent.
Other signs
50. Papilloedema
Clinical picture
Other signs
E.O. muscle palsies
- 3rd, 4th nerves; rare.
Supratentorial mass cerebral tissue
displacement in a caudal direction nerve
stretching, displacement, compression, ischaemia.
51. Papilloedema
Differential Diagnosis
Papillitis: APD, VA, colour vision, pain, unilateral.
AION: ESR, severe visual loss, field.
Diabetic papillopathy: bilateral, mild.
Sarcoidosis.
Malignant infiltration.
Hyperopia.
Medullated N.F.
Optic disc drusen: most difficult to distinguish.
52. Papilloedema
Differential Diagnosis
Optic disc drusen
AD, irregular.
Onset: 2nd – 3rd decade.
Bilateral: 73%.
Small mulberry-like mass or waxy tumour
crenated edge.
Hidden drusen ≠ papilloedema examine parents.
Central cup: absent.
63. Papilloedema
Lumbar puncture
Increased pressure:
- Normal <200 mm H2O
- Borderline 200-250 mm H2O
- Abnormal >250 mm H2O
No abnormalities in protein level or cell count.
DD: meningitis, encephalitis.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
65. Papilloedema
Diagnosis (Dandy’s)
Symptoms & signs of increased ICP: Headache,
papilloedema ….
No focal neurological signs except for 6th n. palsy.
Normal radiological studies (small ventricles).
Increased CSF pressure, normal contents.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
66. Papilloedema
Causes: U-Devils
U Uraemia
D Drugs: steroids & steroid withdrawal, tetracycline, nalidixic acid,
lithium, amiodarone, heavy metal poisoning.
E Endocrine: obesity, Addison’s, DM, hypoparathyroidism.
V Vitamin A intoxication.
I Iron deficiency anaemia, pernicious anaemia.
L Last menstrual period: female, menarche, pregnancy, eclampsia.
S Sleep apnoea, chronic pulmonary disease.
Cerebral dural sinus obstruction.
In most cases, no clearly identifiable cause.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
67. Papilloedema
Management
Frequent careful perimetry /M /3 M
Weight reduction (obese patients)
FU only:
- No visual symptoms or deficits.
- Minimal headache.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
68. Papilloedema
Management
Severe headache
- Medical treatment
Diamox 500 mg 1x2 up to 2 gm/d.
Or Lasix (furosemide) 80-120 mg/d taper over several M.
Corticosteroids: less useful.
- Several lumbar punctures for several days.
- Visual field defect: initial/develops
Surgery:
o Lumbar peritoneal shunt
o ON sheath decompression
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)
69. Papilloedema
Therapeutic success
Relief of headaches.
frequency of transient visual obscurations.
Regression of papilloedema.
Stability/improvement of field defects.
Weight reduction.
Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH)