Orthostatic Edema is a Frequent Cause of Pseudotumor Cerebri

The finding of pseudotumor cerebri (PC) in 3 patients who presented with idiopathic orthostatic edema (OE), and the 32% prevalence of severe headaches in 135 patients with OE (Streeten, 1987) led us to determine in 9 patients with pseudotumor cerebri a) the frequency with which the pathogenic features of OE were present, and b) the efficacy of a combination of diuretic drugs previously shown to be very effective in 0 E. Normality oft he orthostatic reduction in water excretion was tested by comparing the percentage of a 20 mUkg water load excreted during 4 hours in recumbency and 4 hours in the upright posture on separate occasions, while the orthostatic changes in Na and creatine excretion were compared during the oral intake of 150 mL 0.14% N aCI solution every 30 minutes during 2 hours in recumbency and the following 2 hours of orthostasis In the 9 patients with PC, 46 with OE and 17 healthy female subjects (HS).