Papilloedema

Question 1

what is papilloedema

Answer 1

swollen optic discs secondary to raised intracranial pressure

Question 2

what are normal swollen discs

Answer 2

disc swelling secondary to ANY cause

Question 3

What should be suspected in patients with bilateral disc swelling

Answer 3

raised intracranial pressure due to a space occupying lesion

Question 4

is raised intracranial pressure an emergency or not?

Answer 4

its an emergency!!

Question 5

how would you assess bilateral disc swelling

Answer 5

opthalmoscopy

Question 6

what symptoms would you get with papilloedema

Answer 6

headaches, nauseas and vomiting, tinnitus, blurred vision,

Question 7

what are the 3 components of intracranial pressure

Answer 7

brain, blood and CSF barrier

Question 8

describe how someone could die with raised intracranial pressure

Answer 8

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.

Question 9

is there a link between increased ICP and hypertension?

Answer 9

yup

Question 10

what should you check 100% of the time in patients with papilloedema

Answer 10

blood pressure 110%

Question 11

in what 3 situations will ICP increase?

Answer 11

obstruction to CSF circulation, overproduction of CSF and inadequate absorption

Question 12

what happens if disc swelling becomes chronic?

Answer 12

loss of vision and blindness may occur