Pseudotumor Cerebri Syndrome, The

The condition known most widely as pseudotumor cerebri syndrome is of diagnostic interest and clinical importance not just to neurosurgeons, but also to neurologists, ophthalmologists and headache specialists. Variously called idiopathic intracranial hypertension, benign intracranial hypertension, and other names over the century or so since it was first recognised, the authors argue for the grouping of all these conditions under the name of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome on the basis of a common underlying mechanism - an impairment of CSF absorption due to abnormalities at the CSF/venous interface. The book reviews the development of ideas around some of the more contentious issues and deals in depth with aetiology, investigative findings and strategies, treatment and outcome, and in the concluding chapter, considers the possibility of establishing an experimental model to facilitate analysis of the unresolved issues, and pointing the way to a more complete understanding of this controversial condition. Review: 'The book is well written and easy to read. Many points are illustrated by case descriptions, allowing the reader to understand the complex nosology of these syndromes as well as the debate regarding mechanisms ... This book will be of great interest to neurologists, opthalmologists, neurosurgeons and neurophysiologists, particularly those clinicans and researchers interested in cerebrospinal-fluid absorption disorders.' British Journal of Ophthalmology Table of Contents: 1. Introduction; 2. History of the pseudotumor cerebri concept; 3. Disease mechanism; 4. Nosology, nomenclature, and classification; 5. Aetiology; 6. Clinical features; 7. Clinical investigations; 8. Treatment; 9. Outcome; 10. Experimental studies; 11. Conclusions; 12. Bibliography. Author Biography: Dr Ian Johnston is Associate Professor (emeritus) in the Department of Surgery at the University of Sydney. Dr Brian Owler is a Consultant Neurosurgeon at the Westmead Hospital, Sydney, and at The Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney. John Pickard is Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Cambridge and Chairman and Clinical Director of the Wolfson Brain Institute.