Disc Edema and Papilloedema

Question 1

Difference between Disc edema and papilloedema

Answer 1

While it is the same thing that is swelling of the optic nerve head

But papilloedema is defined as bilateral optic disc swelling secondary to raised ICP

But disc edema is a broader term regardless of the underlying cause

Question 2

Disc swelling caused by:

Answer 2

Vascular: CRVO & anterior ischemic optic neuropathy.
Inflammation: papillits&uveitis
Raised Intraocular pressure: thyroid ophthalmopathy, orbital tumors, orbital cellulitis, abscess, or aneurysm of ophthalmic artery.
optic nerve tumors: glioma & meningioma
systemic disease giant cell arthritis, polycythemia, anemia
Papilloedema
Infiltration: granuloma, leukemia, and lymphomas.

Question 3

Causes of papilloedema

Answer 3

++ICP:
Pseudotumor cerebri (commonest cause)
IC SOL
Meningitis, encephalitis
Severe HTN
Hypersecretion of CSF by choroid plexus tumour

Question 4

Symptoms of papilloedema

Answer 4

Symptoms of ICP:
Headache
Projectile vomiting (not preceeded by nausea)
Horizontal diplopia : dt stretching of 6th CN

Visual acuity: Asymptomatic (mybe amaurosis fugax) in early but then gradual painless loss of vision (dt ON atrophy)