title: Papilledema and intraspinal lumbar paraganglioma.
abstract: Optic nervehead swelling is most frequently caused by ocular or intracranial lesions. The case presented here demonstrates that the spinal subarachnoid space must also be considered as a potential site for a lesion causing optic nervehead swelling. A 56-year-old man is presented with an intraspinal lumbar paraganglioma associated with increased cerebrospinal fluid protein, papilledema, transient obscurations of vision, and back pain. This may be the first reported case of a paraganglioma associated with optic nervehead swelling. Magnetic resonance imaging of the lumbosacral region revealed the lesion noninvasively. The papilledema, transient obscurations of vision, and back pain resolved after resection of the tumor. The mechanisms are not defined for optic nervehead swelling in association with spinal tumors in general and paraganglioma in particular. The measured abnormal elevation of cerebrospinal fluid protein may have resulted in increased intracranial pressure and papilledema.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, University of Minnesota Hospital and Clinics, Minneapolis 55455.
authors.forename: D R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Hardten
authors.forename: D Y
authors.initials: DY
authors.lastname: Wen
authors.forename: J D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Wirtschafter
authors.forename: J H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Sung
authors.forename: D L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Erickson
mesh_terms: D001416:Back Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D007796:Laminectomy; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010211:Papilledema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D010235:Paraganglioma / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000150:complications; D013120:Spinal Cord Neoplasms / Q000150:complications*; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots