VCOM Louisiana Research Day Program Book 2024

Case Studies

Kason Goss, OMS-III Ruston Regional Specialty Hospital 59 A CEREBRAL CHALLENGE: NAVIGATING THE COMPLEXITIES OF PSEUDOTUMOR CEREBRI - A COMPREHENSIVE CASE STUDY

Background: This case report follows the clinical presentation and hospital course of a 34-year-old morbidly obese female with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (pseudotumor cerebri). Although the exact cause of pseudotumor cerebri has not yet been described, it appears to be related to a failure of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) to be absorbed properly, leading to elevated pressures acting on the brain and spinal cord. Prior to arrival at our facility, this patient was admitted to another hospital for blindness, where she stayed for approximately 6 weeks. There, the patient underwent a high-volume lumbar puncture that subsequently improved her eyesight, leading to a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri. She was subsequently offered a ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunt to continuously relieve the increased pressure, which she declined. The patient’s blindness eventually returned with new-onset acute respiratory failure, at which point she was intubated. While intubated, the patient developed Pseudomonas-pneumonia and became septic. After treatment with appropriate antibiotics, she was discharged to long-term acute care (LTAC) and was transferred to our facility for continued therapy and rehab. Pseudotumor cerebri affects approximately 1 out of every 100,000 people with many cases

likely being misdiagnosed due to the wide range of presenting symptoms that are often seen with other conditions (Mondragon & Klovenski, 2022). This case demonstrates the need for greater awareness among physicians as well as further research into the exact pathophysiology underlying the cause of pseudotumor cerebri and its resulting short-term and long-term sequelae. Conclusions: This case demonstrates the need for greater awareness among physicians as well as further research into the exact pathophysiology underlying the cause of pseudotumor cerebri and its resulting short-term and long-term sequelae.

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