Archives of International Surgery

CASE REPORT
Year
: 2012  |  Volume : 2  |  Issue : 1  |  Page : 45--47

Pseudotumor cerebri in a post-mastectomy Nigerian


Dawotola A David1, Odigie I Vincent2, Yusufu M. D. Lazarus2, Jimoh O Abdullahi3, Ibinaye O Philip4, Ketiku K Kingsley5 
1 Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
2 Breast and Endocrine Unit, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
3 Neuro-surgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
4 Department of Radiology, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria, Nigeria
5 Department of Radiotherapy, CMUL, Lagos, Nigeria

Correspondence Address:
Dawotola A David
Department of Radiotherapy and Oncology Centre, Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
Nigeria

Background: Pseudotumor cerebri, commonly known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a rare syndrome that manifests mainly as a consequence of raised intracranial pressure. Headache is the major presenting symptom. The diagnosis of this condition is established by exclusion, with the aid of computerized tomographic scan, magnetic resonance imaging, and examination of cerebrospinal fluid tap. We present a patient with advanced invasive ductal carcinoma that was successfully managed for pseudotumor cerebri. Case Report: The patient was a 46-year-old female with stage III invasive ductal carcinoma of the right breast that was treated with modified radical mastectomy, radiotherapy, and combination chemotherapy. She had also taken tamoxifen for 8 months when she developed headache and persistent non-projectile vomiting. She had two episodes of generalized seizures with associated dizziness which resolved on phenobarbitone. She had no neurological deficits. Computerized tomographic scan of the brain revealed features of raised intracranial pressure, and there was no focal intracerebral or cerebellar lesion. A diagnosis of idiopathic pseudotumor cerebri was entertained using the modified Dandy Criteria. She responded well to acetazolamide and dexamethasone. Conclusion: Pseudotumor cerebri should be considered in cancer patients presenting with raised intracranial pressure of sudden onset in the absence of clinical and radiological evidence of brain metastases. We advocate prompt therapy in patients with pseudotumor cerebri to prevent or minimize morbidity.


How to cite this article:
David DA, Vincent OI, Lazarus YM, Abdullahi JO, Philip IO, Kingsley KK. Pseudotumor cerebri in a post-mastectomy Nigerian.Arch Int Surg 2012;2:45-47


How to cite this URL:
David DA, Vincent OI, Lazarus YM, Abdullahi JO, Philip IO, Kingsley KK. Pseudotumor cerebri in a post-mastectomy Nigerian. Arch Int Surg [serial online] 2012 [cited 2024 Mar 28 ];2:45-47
Available from: https://www.archintsurg.org/article.asp?issn=2278-9596;year=2012;volume=2;issue=1;spage=45;epage=47;aulast=David;type=0