Papilloedema

Question 1

what should all patients with bilateral optic disc swelling be suspected of having

Answer 1

raised ICP due to a space occupying lesion until proven otherwise

check blood pressure

Question 2

papilloedema

Answer 2

bilateral optic disc swelling that is non-inflammatory due to increased ICP transmitted to the subarachnoid space surrounding the optic nerve

this becomes abnormally filled with CSF and compresses the optic nerve and central artery and vein of the retina

Question 3

visual symptoms

Answer 3

enlarged blind spot, blurring, obscurations and loss of vision

Question 4

what is seen on fundoscopy

Answer 4

bulging, swollen optic disc

disc margins are blurred and in places retinal vessels are concealed because oedema has impaired the translucency of disc tissues

optic cup is lost

Question 5

clinical features

Answer 5

vomiting without nausea

increased ICP headache - worse in morning and exacerbated by coughing etc

Question 6

what does chronic disc swelling (of any cause) result in

Answer 6

disc atophy, making them pale

loss of visual function and blindness