A pseudo-brain tumor or increased intracranial pressure syndrome means that the pressure inside the skull is above normal. A pseudo-brain tumor is an emergency and may die if left untreated. What are the causes and symptoms of a pseudo-brain tumor? What is the treatment?

Alleged brain tumor , otherwiseIntracranial Pressure Syndrome,indicates an increase in intracranial pressure skulls over 20-25 mm Hg (the norm is 7-15 mm Hg).

The skull cavity is a closed, rigid bone can consisting of the brain (80% by volume), cerebrospinal fluid (10%) and blood (10%). Therefore, a change in the volume of one of its elements may cause an increase in intracranial pressure (the so-called Monro-Kellie rule). It all depends on the increasing volume and the time in which it happens, but most importantly - on the organism's compensatory processes.

Pseudo-brain tumor (increased intracranial pressure syndrome) - causes

The reasons for the increase in the volume of the structures inside the skull, and thus - the increase in intracranial pressure, may be:

  • brain tumors - usually they are metastases to the brain, which are diagnosed in 20-40% of patients with advanced malignant neoplasms. They are most often diagnosed in patients with lung and breast cancer and skin melanoma

The most common causes of increased intracranial pressure are brain tumors.

  • brain abscess
  • brain hematoma
  • hydrocephalus
  • brain injuries
  • swelling of the brain, e.g. caused by encephalitis / meningitis, water poisoning, hyponatraemia, subarachnoid haemorrhage
  • other causes, extracranial, incl. airway obstruction, hypotension, hypertension, cerebral edema in the course of liver cirrhosis

Pseudo-brain tumor (increased intracranial pressure syndrome) - symptoms

  • headaches without nausea, described as throbbing or excruciating and worsening under the influence of factors provoking a temporary increase in intracranial pressure, such as coughing and movement. Headaches tend to be more severe in the morning
  • visual disturbance
  • vomiting withoutaccompanying nausea
  • disturbance of consciousness
  • increased blood pressure (Cushing's symptom)
  • bradycardia, or slow heart rate

Pseudo-brain tumor (increased intracranial pressure syndrome) - research

If increased intracranial pressure is suspected, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging is performed.

Pseudo-brain tumor (increased intracranial pressure syndrome) - treatment

The treatment uses osmotically active drugs (usually mannitol) to counteract brain edema, as well as diuretics (increasing the effectiveness of mannitol) and corticosteroids (reducing the severity of symptoms).

What to do next depends on the cause of the disease. For example, in the case of hydrocephalus, treatment may include placement of a drain. In turn, in the case of brain tumors, some patients can improve after radiotherapy and / or chemotherapy.

Bibliography:

Rolski W.,Increased intracranial pressure syndrome , "Medycyna Paliatywna" 2012, No. 4.

Category:

Neurology