Persistence of papilloedema after operation for intracranial tumour

The resolution of papilloedema after removal of an intracranial tumour in 14 patients (group 1) was compared with that after a CSF shunt operation in 12 patients (group 2). In group 1, the longest time needed for resolution was 20 weeks; there was no consistent relation between severity of papilloedema and time of resolution, and in 4 patients papilloedema subsided only after more than 10 weeks. In group 2, the longest time needed for resolution was 6 weeks and the time of resolution was closely related to the severity of papilloedema. Persistence of papilloedema after removal of an intracranial tumour may be explained by raised CSF pressure caused by a postoperative CSF circulation block which occurs in some patients. If vision is threatened in such cases, a CSF shunt operation should be performed.