Papilloedema

Question 1

In papilloedema, what do you see on fundoscopy?

Answer 1

• Venous engorgement: usually the first sign
• Loss of venous pulsation: although many normal patients do not have normal pulsation
• Blurring of the optic disc margin
• Elevation of optic disc
• Loss of the optic cup
• Paton’s lines: concentric/radial retinal lines cascading from the optic disc

Question 2

What are some comon causes of papilloedema?

Answer 2

• Space-occupying lesion: neoplastic, vascular
• Malignant hypertension
• |diopathic intracranial hypertension
• Hydrocephalus
• Hypercapnia

Question 3

What are some rare causes of papilloedema?

Answer 3

• Hypoparathyroidism and hypocalcaemia
• Vitamin A toxicity