Papilloedema Health Dictionary

Papilloedema: From 3 Different Sources


Swelling of the head of the optic nerve, which is visible with an ophthalmoscope.

Also called optic disc oedema, it usually indicates a dangerous rise in the pressure within the skull, sometimes caused by a brain tumour.

Health Source: BMA Medical Dictionary
Author: The British Medical Association
Swelling of the OPTIC DISC of the EYE, speci?cally due to raised intracranial pressure. It can be seen by examining the back of the eye using an OPHTHALMOSCOPE and is an important sign in managing the care of patients with intracerebral disease such as tumours or MENINGITIS.
Health Source: Medical Dictionary
Author: Health Dictionary
n. swelling of the first part of the optic nerve (the optic disc or optic papilla) when viewed through an ophthalmoscope. It can be a sign of raised intracranial pressure or inflammation of the optic nerve (papillitis).
Health Source: Oxford | Concise Colour Medical Dictionary
Author: Jonathan Law, Elizabeth Martin

Hypertensive Encephalopathy

A complication of severe HYPERTENSION, this serious but uncommon condition is characterised by neurological symptoms which include transient verbal and visual disturbances, PARAESTHESIA, disorientation, ?ts and sometimes loss of consciousness. It also affects the eyes, causing PAPILLOEDEMA. Haemorrhages may occur in the brain, usually in the area of the BASAL GANGLIA. Neurological symptoms can usually be treated e?ectively by controlling the patient’s hypertension.... hypertensive encephalopathy

Optic Nerve

The 2nd cranial nerve; the nerve of vision. The 2 optic nerves each consist of about 1 million nerve fibres that transmit impulses from the retina to the brain. The optic nerves converge behind the eyes, where fibres from the inner halves of the retina cross over. Nerve fibres from the right halves of both retinas go to right side of the occipital lobes in the brain; those from the left halves go to the left side.

Disorders of the optic nerve include optic neuritis and papilloedema.

The latter is caused by pressure on the nerve from disease in the orbit or a brain tumour.... optic nerve

Drusen

pl. n. 1. (macular drusen) white or yellow deposits of *hyalin in *Bruch’s membrane of the choroid. They may be associated with *macular degeneration. 2. (disc drusen) glistening nodules seen on an irregularly raised *optic disc. Consisting of excess *glia (produced congenitally) that has undergone degeneration and calcification, they can be confused with *papilloedema.... drusen

Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

(benign intracranial hypertension, pseudotumour cerebri) a syndrome of raised pressure within the skull in the absence of a clear structural cause, such as a tumour. Although the cause is not certain, proposed mechanisms include impaired reabsorption of cerebrospinal fluid or venous outflow from the brain. The symptoms include headache, vomiting, double vision, and *papilloedema. The diagnosis is made by finding a high opening pressure at *lumbar puncture in the absence of a causative structural abnormality on brain imaging. It can improve spontaneously but drug therapy or neurosurgical treatment may be required to protect the patient’s vision.... idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Malignant Hypertension

dangerously high blood pressure (diastolic pressure >130 mmHg) associated with necrosis of small arteries and arterioles. Retinal haemorrhage and *papilloedema are present. Untreated, malignant hypertension causes severe organ damage, targeting the central nervous and cardiovascular systems and the kidneys (malignant *nephrosclerosis). Causes include complications of essential and secondary *hypertension and pregnancy and the use of certain drugs (e.g. MAO inhibitors).... malignant hypertension

Tuberous Sclerosis

(Bourneville’s disease, epiloia) a hereditary disorder in which the brain, skin, and other organs are studded with small plaques or tumours; eye involvement includes retinal tumours (astrocytic *hamartomas), *coloboma, *papilloedema, optic nerve gliomas, and eyelid neuromas. Symptoms include epilepsy, learning difficulties, and behavioural disorders.... tuberous sclerosis



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