• Users Online: 54499
  • Home
  • Print this page
  • Email this page

   Table of Contents      
CASE REPORT
Year : 1992  |  Volume : 40  |  Issue : 4  |  Page : 117

Eltroxin induced pseudotumour cerebri-A case report


Department of Ophthalmology, SCB Medical College, Cuttack- 753007, India

Correspondence Address:
Madhumati Misra
Department of Ophthalmology, SCB Medical College, Cuttack- 753007
India
Login to access the Email id

Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None


PMID: 1300303

Rights and PermissionsRights and Permissions

How to cite this article:
Misra M, Khan G M, Rath S. Eltroxin induced pseudotumour cerebri-A case report. Indian J Ophthalmol 1992;40:117

How to cite this URL:
Misra M, Khan G M, Rath S. Eltroxin induced pseudotumour cerebri-A case report. Indian J Ophthalmol [serial online] 1992 [cited 2024 Mar 29];40:117. Available from: https://journals.lww.com/ijo/pages/default.aspx/text.asp?1992/40/4/117/24382


  Introduction Top


The diagnosis of cerebral pseudotumour is established on findings as papilloedema without focal neurological deficit and with a battery of normal investigations as cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, electroen­cephalography (EEG), cerebral angiography and com­puted tomography (CT) with contrast enhancement [1][2][3][4][5]. The condition typically occures in obese females with endocrine and haematological disturbances, and a recent history of drug ingestion is often obtained [1][2][3][4]. However, it rarely results from thyroid disease (5). We report a rare case of pseudotumour cerebri developing after eltroxin therapy. The pitfalls in the diagnosis of pseudotumour cerebri is discussed with review of available literature.


  Case report Top


A female aged 30 years was seen in the neurooph­thalmic section of SCB Medical College, Cuttack for headache, vomiting and double vision of one month duration. The patient noted lethergy, cold intolerance, reduced appetite and amenorrhoea 6 months before and consulted a practitioner. Hypothyroid state was diagnosed based on diffuse thyroid swelling, mild anaemia and reduced T3, T4 levels in blood. Eltroxin therapy was instituted since 2 months.

Physical examination revealed no systemic or neurological deficit other than diffuse thyroid swelling and bilateral 6th nerve palsy. Funduscopy revealed bilateral gross papilloedema with preserved acuity and visual fields in both eyes. Routine laboratory tests were noncontributory. Conventional X-ray of skull, EEG, cerebral angiography did not help the diagnosis. CSF tap was avoided because of raised intracranial pressure (ICP). Cranial CT showed diffuse cerebral oedema with Ventricular compression without any mass lesion. Diagnosis of eltroxin induced pseu­dotumour cerebri was established. Eltroxin therapy was discontinued. Therapy for lowering ICP by mannitol infussion, oral glycerol and parenteral steroid was instituted. The symptoms of raised ICP, and bilateral 6th palsy disappeared within 15 days and regression of papilloedemawas noted. The patient is asymptomatic - till the day of last report.


  Discussion Top


The association of pseudotumour cerebri with various metabolic and endocrine disorders has been well documented. Such causes include, (1) Menarche (2) hypoadrenalism (3) adrenal cortice steroid therapy, and particularly its withdrawal (4) hypopara thyroidsm; (5) vitamin A intoxication; (6) vitamin A deficiency; (7) drug toxicity (tetracycline, nalidixic acid, phenothiazines, and oral contraceptives); (8) iron deficiency anaemia; (9) intracranial venous sinus occlusion secondary to head injury, intracranial in­fection, and pregnancy [1][2][3][4][5].

Patients with pseudotumour cerebri complain of headache and vomiting in the absence of abnormal cerebro spinal fluid pattern. CT scan reveals narrowed and slit-like ventricles, indicating the presence of increased brain volume. Treatment consists of systemic corticosteroids, autazolamide, and restriction of salt consumption- If a causative factorcan be demonstrated, specific therapy must be instituted to protect vision. In the present case, psendotumour cerebri was induced by eltroxin therapy and could be reversed after withdrawal of the drug. the incidence is rare careful history taking it essential in patients who present this curious syndrome of pseudotumour cerebri.

 
  References Top

1.
Johnson I and Paterson A - Benign intracranial hypertension, diagnosis and prognosis. Brain 97, 289-300, 1979.  Back to cited text no. 1
    
2.
Weisberg LA and Nice C.N. - Computed tomographic evaluation of increased intracranial pressure. Radiology. 122. 133-136, 1977.  Back to cited text no. 2
    
3.
Misra N. and Rath S - Papillo edema caused by spinal tumour in a case of optic nerve glioma. Ind. Jr. Ophthalmol. 32. 175-176, 1984.  Back to cited text no. 3
    
4.
Misra M and Rath S - Multiple neuroflbroma of spinal cord presenting with papillo edema. Orissa Medical Journal (OMJ). 3. 27-28, 1984.  Back to cited text no. 4
    
5.
Koul KL and Wangnoo SK - Pseudotumour cerebri with eitroxui therapy. Neurology India. 37. 551, 1989.  Back to cited text no. 5
    




 

Top
 
 
  Search
 
    Similar in PUBMED
   Search Pubmed for
   Search in Google Scholar for
    Access Statistics
    Email Alert *
    Add to My List *
* Registration required (free)  

 
  In this article
Introduction
Case report
Discussion
References

 Article Access Statistics
    Viewed3447    
    Printed140    
    Emailed2    
    PDF Downloaded0    
    Comments [Add]    

Recommend this journal