Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), aka idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), is often said to be a rare condition. Simply speaking, pseudotumor cerebri is a condition in which the body either produces too much cerebrospinal fluid pressure or doesn't absorb it well, resulting in increased cerebrospinal fluid pressure.
Undiagnosed or untreated, PTC can cause many problems, some of them quite serious. Those problems can range from headaches and Migraines to permanent blindness.
In England, 19-year-old Rachel Mulhall discovered the dangers of PTC after being misdiagnosed with headache not once, but six times. In July, 2009, Mulhall went to her general practitioner doctor for a headache that she described as "something crushing her head." The diagnosis? Headache. Over the next month, Mulhall saw five more doctors at Medlock Val Medical Practice in Droylsden, Greater Machester; Tameside Hospital; and Mnachester Royal Infirmary. All of these NHS doctors diagnosed her with "headaches" and sent her home.
Undiagnosed or untreated, PTC can cause many problems, some of them quite serious. Those problems can range from headaches and Migraines to permanent blindness.
In England, 19-year-old Rachel Mulhall discovered the dangers of PTC after being misdiagnosed with headache not once, but six times. In July, 2009, Mulhall went to her general practitioner doctor for a headache that she described as "something crushing her head." The diagnosis? Headache. Over the next month, Mulhall saw five more doctors at Medlock Val Medical Practice in Droylsden, Greater Machester; Tameside Hospital; and Mnachester Royal Infirmary. All of these NHS doctors diagnosed her with "headaches" and sent her home.
What happened to Mulhall is shocking and inexcusable. Please continue reading Pseudotumor Cerebri: Getting the Diagnosis Right .
Live well,
Follow me on
Want this badge? Want this badge?
Medical review by John Claude Krusz, PhD, MD.Last updated May 3, 2010