Papilloedema Flashcards
what is papilloedema
swollen optic discs secondary to raised intracranial pressure
what are normal swollen discs
disc swelling secondary to ANY cause
What should be suspected in patients with bilateral disc swelling
raised intracranial pressure due to a space occupying lesion
is raised intracranial pressure an emergency or not?
its an emergency!!
how would you assess bilateral disc swelling
opthalmoscopy
what symptoms would you get with papilloedema
headaches, nauseas and vomiting, tinnitus, blurred vision,
what are the 3 components of intracranial pressure
brain, blood and CSF barrier
describe how someone could die with raised intracranial pressure
cranial vault is fixed, thus increasing pressure pushes the brain through the foramen magnum and comprises the brainstem which stops patient from breathing and then dies.
is there a link between increased ICP and hypertension?
yup
what should you check 100% of the time in patients with papilloedema
blood pressure 110%
in what 3 situations will ICP increase?
obstruction to CSF circulation, overproduction of CSF and inadequate absorption
what happens if disc swelling becomes chronic?
loss of vision and blindness may occur