What Is Pseudotumor Cerebri Treatment?

Pseudotumor Cerebri (PTC) is a disorder characterized by increased pressure on the brain caused by an intracranial pressure which exceeds normal levels. It affects a wide range of people, from infants through adults. Fortunately, the multitude of Pseudotumor Cerebri treatment options available can provide great relief. Here is an overview:

Weight loss and diuretics

One of the primary therapeutic approaches to reduce intracranial pressure is weight loss and diuretics. Obese individuals are especially prone to PTC and need to get their Body Mass Index to the appropriate range to receive the best treatment outcomes. Also, by using diuretics, the patient can reduce fluid retention which can lead to a decrease of intracranial pressure, thus alleviating the symptoms of PTC.

Vision therapy: sight-seeing into the future

Visual disturbances such as blurred vision, double vision, tunnel vision, diplopia can be due to PTC and vision therapy can assist in letting the patient have a longer and fuller range of sight. Vision therapy is a type of therapeutic physical training that helps the patient to maintain and train their visual systems through eye exercises and drills.

Surgery: cutting away the pain

Surgery is reserved for extreme cases of PTC and is a large relief for those with severely elevated pressure, so that they can begin the recovery process. The objective of the surgery is to directly reduce intracranial pressure or to deeply reduce the risk of further complications.

Interventional radiology

When it comes to treating PTC, interventional radiology acts as a bridge between medical and surgical treatment. This innovative form of technology allows a trained radiology professional to insert a device directly into the patient’s veins or arteries to deliver the optimal medical procedure. This form of radiology makes it possible for the doctor to access areas that are normally hard to reach with traditional surgery or catheterization.

Interventional radiology can help to reduce the symptoms associated with PTC such as headaches, eye and vision complications, hearing loss, and tinnitus. Through a procedure called a Spinal Venous Puncture, a stent is inserted into the spine and connected to a drainage system. This procedure can also be performed with a limited CT scan to pinpoint the exact location of the stent.

The TAPP procedure is another minimally invasive approach used to reduce intracranial pressure and rid people of symptoms associated with pseudotumor cerebri. It involves placing a valve called a lumbar drain which can be temporarily inserted into the body. This valve is designed to help reduce the pressure in the brain by changing the drainage output of fluid from the body.

Pharmacotherapy: taking the pharma to brain pressure

Pharmacology provides a potential resource for controlling intracranial pressure and reducing symptoms. Medications such as glucocorticoids, carbonic anhydrase inhibitors and also the administration of loop and thiazide diuretics are frequently used for symptom relief.

Closing thoughts

Pseudotumor Cerebri is a condition that can be managed with the numerous therapies presented above. The treatment chosen for a particular patient will depend on the specific characteristics and signs of the condition. With all of the choices available, there is certainly hope in finding the right treatment plan that is most suitable for the individual’s needs and requirements.