Unilateral papilledema in pseudotumor cerebri.

PURPOSE: To report a case of a 25-year-old girl with pseudotumor cerebri who presented with unilateral swollen optic disk.

METHODS

A 25-year-old obese patient admitted to our ophthalmic department complaining of headaches, tinnitus, and transient visual obscurations for the last three months. Upon ophthalmic examination, the left optic nerve was swollen with a few hemorrhages compared to the normal-appearing right optic nerve. Following lumbar puncture with opening pressure of 350 mmHg, a diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri was made and treatment with acetazolamide was started.

RESULTS

Three months later there were no episodes of visual obscurations and headache improved.

CONCLUSION

Although rare, unilateral swollen disk could be a sign of unilateral papilledema due to increased intracranial pressure.