Papilloedema Flashcards
what is papilloedema
specific term meaning, bilateral optic disc swelling secondary to raised intracranial pressure(ICP)
what is the difference between optic disc swelling and papilloedema
optic disc swelling is swelling secondary to ANY cause
papilloedema is specifically due to raised ICP
what should all patients with bilateral optic disc swelling be suspected of, until proved otherwise
raised ICP due to space occupying lesion
how serious a problem is raised ICP
medical emergency
what cranial nerve is examined in exam of optic disc, and what else is examined
optic nerve(CN II), also visual acuity, pupil exam, visual field exam, colour vision
what 3 parts make up the intracranial pressure(ICP)
brain(80%), blood(10%), CSF(10%)
must remain constant
describe why raised ICP affects the optic nerve(CN II)
the subarachnoid space around the optic nerve is continuous with subarachnoid space surrounding brain, so raised ICP is transmitted to area around CN II
what effect does raised ICP have in the optic nerve
causes interruption of axoplasmic flow and venous congestion, resulting is swollen optic disc
describe what happens if there is further raised ICP, caused by the brain mass increasing
blood vessels compressed, global brain ischaemia/swelling, herniation through foramen magnum, brainstem compression and death
describe the possible vascular mechanism can result in swelling of optic disc/raised ICP
malignant hypertension, with possible leakage and ischaemia of arterioles supplying optic disc
what can happen to the CSF to increase ICP
obstruction CSF circulation(eg congenital), overproduction CSF(eg tumour), inadequate absorption of CSF(eg haemorrhage)
what is a common cause of bilateral disc swelling in young females
idiopathic intracranial hypertension
what happens if disc swelling becomes chronic
disc swelling subsides, discs become pale and atrophic, loss of visual function occurs and possibly blindness
