Pseudotumor Cerebri (Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension)

If a healthcare professional suspects you have pseudotumor cerebri, a diagnosis might include:

• Physical exam: During a physical examination, your healthcare provider asks you about your symptoms and medical history. They examine your body and measure your vital signs.
• Eye exam: An ophthalmologist (eye doctor) may use a tool to look inside of your eye. This pain-free test magnifies the interior of your eye to obtain a better picture. Alternatively, they may use a test called perimetry. This test uses a visual stimulus (like a flash of light) and records your eye’s responses.
• Imaging tests: Computed tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) takes pictures inside of your head to rule out other problems
• Spinal tap: A spinal tap (lumbar puncture) involves inserting a needle into your lower back to sample the CSF. It can tell how much pressure is building up around your brain and spinal cord. This test can also analyze the fluid to rule out other causes (like infections). Some of the fluid can also be removed to help relieve the pressure.
• Venography: After a special contrast material is injected into your veins, CT, MRI or X-ray machines then take pictures of your veins. This test can show whether your venous sinuses are narrow or blocked, which could be another reason for the increased pressure.