Symonds syndrome (otitic hydrocephalus syndrome; serous meningitis syndrome; benign intracranial hypertension; pseudotumor cerebri) 1

General: Children and adolescents; protracted course; increased cerebrospinal fluid, but without increase in protein or cells.

Ocular: Sixth nerve palsy, ipsilateral side with otitis media; retinal hemorrhages and exudates; moderate-to-marked papilledema followed by secondary optic atrophy; unilateral or bilateral swelling of the optic nerve head have been reported; cranial nerve III and IV involvement; bilateral retinal vein occlusion.

Clinical: Greatly increased pressure of spinal fluid, often greater than 300 mm, without increased cells or protein; intermittent headaches; otitis media; chronic renal failure; chronic myeloid leukemia.

Chang D, et al. Benign intracranial hypertension and chronic renal failure. Cleve Clin J Med 1992; 59:419-422.

Chari C, Rao NS. Benign intracranial hypertension-its unusual manifestations. Headache 1991; 31:599-600.

Chern S, et al. Bilateral central retinal vein occlusion as an initial manifestation of pseudotumor cerebri. Ann Ophthalmol 199l; 23:54-57.

Fraunfelder FT, Roy FH. Current Ocular Therapy, 5th ed. Philadelphia: WB Saunders, 2000.

Venable HP. Pseudo-tumor cerebri. J Natl Med Assoc 1970; 62:435-440.

Venable HP. Pseudo-tumor cerebri: further studies. J Natl Med Assoc 1973; 65:194-l97.