Resolution of Pseudotumor Cerebri following surgery for morbid obesity

The cause of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is poorly understood although there is strong evidence that obesity plays a role in its development. This report describes a patient with medically intractable PTC, who had continued symptoms despite undergoing a ventriculo-peritoneal (VP) shunt. Following significant weight loss, as a result of laparoscopic gastric banding, she has been symptom free and off all medications for 11 months allowing VP shunt removal. Bariatric surgery should be strongly considered in morbidly obese patients with PTC.