Best Pseudotumor Surgery in India

The pseudo term, in general, is used for something which is not true or a false phenomenon. A pseudotumor signifies the same thing. Some patients suffer from a brain condition that resembles the symptoms of a brain tumor. These symptoms might include headaches, nausea, vision difficulties, dizziness, etc. However, the pseudotumor symptoms and related condition is not a result of a real brain tumor in these cases.

Pseudotumor or a false tumor occurs when the pressure inside the brain leads to such symptoms resembling brain tumor. There are no confirmed reasons found yet that can explain why this happens. But, because of the similarity between both condition’s symptoms, there can be confusion in pseudotumor diagnosis. Pseudotumors can cause serious damage to eyesight or permanent loss of vision. Therefore, the pseudotumor condition is actually a worse situation to be in. A pseudotumor is also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension in correct medical terms.

What Is A Pseudotumor?

A pseudotumor is a condition resembling real brain tumors because of the similar symptoms found in a patient. Pseudotumor term may often deviate from the seriousness of the condition because of the word “pseudo” attached to it. However, pseudotumor’s complications and consequences of the condition are serious. A pseudotumor is a different condition from a brain tumor altogether. But, because of the similarity in symptoms, there are difficulties in diagnosis. Early diagnosis of a pseudotumor of the brain can help a patient not have a risk of losing sight.

What Is The Cause Of Pseudotumor?

Pseudotumor is a result of increased pressure inside the skull of a patient resulting from an overflow of cerebrospinal fluid inside the brain. This fluid is responsible for protecting the brain and spine of the patient from any potential injury. The fluid protects by surrounding the area with the fluid. Blood vessels absorb this cerebrospinal fluid and keep it flowing to surround the brain and spine. The human body is responsible for making this cerebrospinal fluid constantly. 

In some cases, the human body starts making this cerebrospinal fluid more than required. Also, there may be cases where the blood vessels are not able to absorb as much cerebrospinal fluid. Therefore, the unabsorbed fluid starts overflowing while surrounding the brain and spinal cords. This condition can cause increased pressure inside the brain. This can also lead to swelling inside the brain or on the optical nerves. Either of these conditions gives way to the condition of pseudotumor.

Symptoms

The prominent pseudotumor symptoms in a patient are similar to the ones caused by an actual brain tumor. Swollen optical nerves are responsible for keeping the eyes connected to the brain. Failure to send signals to the brain through the optical nerves can cause permanent blindness or serious vision problems. Here are some of the common pseudotumor symptoms:

• Worsening headache, especially whenever changing posture by the patient. Headaches often start from the backside of the head or eyes.
• Painful eye movement.
• Dim or a blurry vision, sometimes clubbed with double vision or blackout problems.
• Dizziness or heavy-headedness.
• Nausea and vomiting.
• Constant ringing sensation in ears.
• Stiffness in the neck.
• Increased pain in the head with physical activity.

Diagnosis

It is crucial to do a timely diagnosis of pseudotumors to avoid complications of eyesight. Our oncologist and eye specialist at The Esthetic Clinics in Mumbai are well versed with these symptoms and can perform thorough diagnoses. An eye specialist can be the first one to suspect the occurrence of pseudotumor in patients with related symptoms. Doctors at our clinics in Mumbai would initiate the diagnosis by using an ophthalmoscope to evaluate and examine the eyes of the patient.

The doctor is often able to predict the pseudotumor condition by looking at the eyeballs with this instrument. Swelling around the eyeballs and on the optic nerves is an indication of a serious condition of the pseudotumor. Here are some additional tests that a doctor at our clinics in Mumbai would ask for further diagnosis:

• Spinal tap

Spinal tap or puncture in the spinal cord is a technique used for checking the current state of the pressure of the cerebrospinal fluid. A doctor would take a tiny amount of cerebrospinal fluid to do further evaluation. The evaluation can shed more light on the possible amount of increased pressure on the skull of the patient.

• Imaging

A tomography or CT scan is a set of powerful x-rays that can give information about the inside of the skull in detailed pictures. MRI or magnetic resonance is another form of imaging that allows the doctor to evaluate a possible increase in pressure or any abnormal swelling inside the brain of a patient.

• Regular check-up

Regular eye check-ups can help the doctor pick up on the warning signs and medical clues through the diagnosis of vision difficulties. Blind spots and swelling around the eyeballs or in the orbital content can hint at the possible increase of the pressure inside the brain or skull. Regular visits to our clinics in Mumbai can help with timely pseudotumor diagnosis.

Treatment

A pseudotumor can have lasting side effects and problems associated with them. Therefore, getting the pseudotumor treatment in time can help with not losing sight of the patient. The pseudotumor is associated with obesity, which is why it is a good idea to lose weight to help ease pseudotumor symptoms. One of the best ways to do so is by controlling the diet of the patient. In most cases, the amount of salt and related fluid can make the body produce more cerebrospinal fluid. Limiting salt can help keep the cerebrospinal fluid in check.

Making efforts to keep the diet in control and having balanced meals can improve the physical condition of a patient. Taking help and training from a physical trainer, dietician, or a weight-loss facility can help with the process as well. Following are the medicinal and surgical routes used in the pseudotumor treatment of the condition:

Medicine

Treatment of pseudotumor in patients requires the doctor to focus on lowering the pressure inside the skull. Along with diet changes such as limiting fluid intake and salt intake can help to lower the pressure up to a certain extent. However, medicines can help achieve the desired intracranial pressure as well.

• Steroids and corticosteroid medicine are significantly known to lower the pressure inside the skull.
• Glaucoma medication such as Acetazolamide can felicitate the lowering of the fluid inside the skull of a patient.
• Furosemide is given to patients to pee more and remove excess fluid from the body.
• Migraine drugs are also used for improving headaches in patients.

Surgery

Patients might need surgery if their condition worsens and is not seen to improve with medication and alternate changes in diet. Surgical procedures might become necessary to relieve the brain from additional pressure from increased cerebrospinal fluids. Surgical treatment for pseudotumor often includes:

• Shunting

Shunting is a process of creating escape windows for the cerebrospinal fluid in the brain. Our expert eye specialist or cosmetic surgeon would insert a long tube inside the brain to drain the excess fluids from the skull.

• Fenestration

Our top surgeon would make small cuts in the optic nerves tissues to drain off the excess cerebrospinal fluid from the body.

What To Expect From The Surgery?

Surgical intervention to reduce the pressure on the skull can be an effective solution to get rid of the excess fluid inside the brain. Most of the patients starts to gain vision momentum within the few months of the pseudotumor treatment. Most of the patients would be able to recover completely from the condition. However, in some cases, patients might lose their eyesight completely.

Regular visits to our clinics in Mumbai would ensure that the pressure build-up is kept in check. Pseudo-tumor symptoms can reoccur, therefore making regular check-ups more crucial for a patient. Our eye specialists and top cosmetic surgeon would be able to identify any changes or symptoms leading to pseudotumors. Recovery time might vary based on the pseudotumor risks and complications involved based on the severity.

What To Expect From The Doctor?

A pseudo tumor is a condition that can worsen with time if left untreated. However, it also tends to reoccur in some patients even after a successful course of treatment. Regular check-ups at our clinics in Mumbai can alleviate the symptoms of the problem. Most of the orbital pressure can be improved with diet changes and losing weight. Dr. Debraj Shome of The Esthetic Clinics in Mumbai has a dedicated team of eye specialists having vast experience in pseudo tumor of the brain, to work along with him.

In most cases, surgical intervention is not required. However, the severity of the symptoms and other factors can lead to the need for surgical intervention of the problems. The patient should make sure to consult Dr. Debraj Shome and our other specialist doctors at The Esthetic Clinics in India to get an early diagnosis. This can help them to save their vision. Our clinics in India have one of the best hands to treat and do surgical treatment of pseudotumors.