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Papilledema
Papilledema is the outward bulging of the optic disc, which can be viewed by fundoscopy. Venous engorgement and bulging of the disk margins are specific findings.
It suggests increased intracranial pressure and is seen in 50% of patients with brain tumours.
Pathophysiology
It is proposed that pressure on the optic nerve reduces axonal flow from the retina down the optic nerve axons. As axoplasmic flow is relatively slow, papilledema takes a while to develop and to resolve.
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