ETIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PAPILLEDEMA IN A RURAL TERTIARY HEALTHCARE SETTING
Amritaa Varma
, Surekha V. Bangal , Himani Panse , Surabhi Juikar , Manasvini Kapadia
Papilledema; Raised intracranial pressure; Etiology; Frisén grading scale; Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Rural healthcare setting
ABSTRACT
Purpose
To determine the etiological factors leading to papilledema in patients presenting to a rural tertiary healthcare center.
Materials and Methods
This observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study included 20 clinically diagnosed cases of papilledema presenting to the Ophthalmology Department of a rural tertiary care hospital between January 2024 and February 2025. Patients underwent detailed clinical evaluation, fundus examination, and grading using the Modified Frisén Scale. Neuroimaging and relevant investigations were performed to identify the underlying etiology. Data were analyzed descriptively.
Results
Papilledema was more common in females (60%) than males (40%). The majority of patients belonged to the 25–45 years age group (45%). Bilateral papilledema was observed in 90% of cases, while 10% showed unilateral involvement, including Foster Kennedy and pseudo–Foster Kennedy syndromes. Headache was the most common presenting symptom (50%). Space-occupying lesions were the most frequent etiology (35%), followed by meningitis (25%) and cerebrovascular accidents (15%). Idiopathic intracranial hypertension accounted for 5% of cases. Most patients presented with early-stage papilledema, with Stage 2 being the most common (45%).
Conclusion
Papilledema in a rural tertiary healthcare setting shows a varied etiological profile, with intracranial space-occupying lesions and infections being the predominant causes. Early-stage presentation is common, emphasizing the importance of routine fundus examination. Prompt recognition of papilledema and timely neuroimaging are crucial, as it often represents the first clinical sign of potentially life-threatening intracranial pathology.
"ETIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF PAPILLEDEMA IN A RURAL TERTIARY HEALTHCARE SETTING", IJSDR - International Journal of Scientific Development and Research (www.IJSDR.org), ISSN:2455-2631, Vol.11, Issue 1, page no.a816-a822, January-2026, Available :https://ijsdr.org/papers/IJSDR2601088.pdf
Volume 11
Issue 1,
January-2026
Pages : a816-a822
Paper Reg. ID: IJSDR_306848
Published Paper Id: IJSDR2601088
Downloads: 000293
Research Area: Humanities All
Country: Vashi, Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
ISSN: 2455-2631 | IMPACT FACTOR: 9.15 Calculated By Google Scholar | ESTD YEAR: 2016
An International Scholarly Open Access Journal, Peer-Reviewed, Refereed Journal Impact Factor 9.15 Calculate by Google Scholar and Semantic Scholar | AI-Powered Research Tool, Multidisciplinary, Monthly, Multilanguage Journal Indexing in All Major Database & Metadata, Citation Generator
Publisher: IJSDR(IJ Publication) Janvi Wave
