Anemia and papilledema☆
Section snippets
Design
This study was conducted as an interventional case series.
Methods
We retrospectively reviewed six cases with papilledema, isolated raised ICP, and anemia, and reviewed the English and French literature for similar cases. Only cases with documented anemia and disk edema associated with presumed increased ICP were included. Cases with evidence of cerebral venous thrombosis or any other neurologic disease were excluded. The data accumulation is in conformity with all country/federal or state laws.
Results
Our cases included five women with confirmed IIH (normal brain magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], normal cerebrospinal fluid contents, elevated ICP) and one man with presumed IIH (normal head computed tomography [CT], no lumbar puncture performed). All had bilateral papilledema associated with peripapillary hemorrhages; two had retinal cotton-wool spots (CWS) and two had preretinal hemorrhages. All had severe iron deficiency anemia. Their symptoms and signs improved dramatically after treatment
Discussion
Our patients had a clinical syndrome suggestive of IIH and were found to be anemic. It is possible that this may represent a chance association, because both IIH and anemia are common disorders in women of childbearing age.19, 20, 21 Indeed, no properly controlled study has found a statistical association between IIH and anemia.16, 17, 18 However, current knowledge of IIH is limited largely to information gained from retrospective studies. Only a few controlled studies have been performed, each
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Cited by (0)
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Dr. Nancy J. Newman is a recipient of a Research to Prevent Blindness Lew R. Wasserman Merit Award.