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Graves' disease presenting as pseudotumor cerebri: a case report
Ester Coutinho1, Ana M Silva, Cláudia Freitas
1Serviço de Neurologia, Hospital Santo António, Largo Professor Abel Salazar, 4099-001 Porto, Portugal. estercoutinho@gmail.com.
Journal of Medical Case Reports
|February 18, 2011
Summary
This case report highlights a rare instance of Graves' disease presenting as pseudotumor cerebri. It underscores the importance of considering hyperthyroidism as a potential cause of elevated intracranial pressure.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Pseudotumor cerebri involves elevated intracranial pressure without structural brain abnormalities.
- Endocrine pathologies are common secondary causes of pseudotumor cerebri.
- Hyperthyroidism is a rare but documented cause of this condition.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case of pseudotumor cerebri secondary to Graves' disease.
- To highlight the infrequent association between hyperthyroidism and pseudotumor cerebri.
Main Methods:
- Case report of a 31-year-old woman.
- Clinical evaluation and laboratory confirmation of Graves' disease.
- Assessment for pseudotumor cerebri symptoms and diagnosis.
Main Results:
- The patient presented with symptoms consistent with pseudotumor cerebri.
- Graves' disease was confirmed through clinical and laboratory findings.
- This represents a rare presentation of Graves' disease.
Conclusions:
- Hyperthyroidism, specifically Graves' disease, can manifest as pseudotumor cerebri.
- This association, though rare, should be recognized in clinical practice.
- Clinicians should consider hyperthyroidism in the differential diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri.
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