Aetiology

Those in whom a direct causal link between venous outflow obstruction and CSF absorption is demonstrable:

• sagittal sinus thrombosis
• lateral sinus thrombosis usually secondary to mastoiditis
• intrathoracic mass lesion
• congestive cardiac failure
• following neck surgery

Idiopathic:

• minor head trauma
  
  
• endocrine disturbance:
  • Addison's disease
  • pregnancy
  • menarche & menstrual irregularities
  • Cushing's syndrome
  • hypothyroidism
  • hypoparathyroidism
    
    
• haematological:
  • polycythaemia vera
  • iron deficency anaemia
  • infectious mononucleosis
    
    
• drugs:
  • antibiotics such as tetracyclines, nalixidic acid or nitofurantoin
  • oral contraceptives
  • steroid withdrawal
    
    
• dietary:
  • obesity
  • excess or deficiency of vitamin A
    
    
• miscellaneous:
  • Sydenham's chorea
  • roseola infantum