what is papilledema
Papilledema refers to swelling of the optic disc from increased intracranial pressure (ICP)]. It must be distinguished from optic disc swelling from other causes which is simply termed optic disc edema. Papilledema must also be distinguished from pseudo-papilledema such as optic disc drusen. Since the root cause of papilledema is increased intracranial pressure (ICP) this is an alarming sign which may presage such entities as brain tumor, CNS inflammation, or idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Etiology