Suddenly symptomatic brain tumors at altitude

Ann Emerg Med. 1991 Mar;20(3):315-6. doi: 10.1016/s0196-0644(05)80948-5.

Abstract

High-altitude cerebral edema can present with a wide variety of neurologic manifestations; these symptoms resolve with descent. The persistence of neurologic symptoms after descent suggests an intracranial lesion. Brain tumors suddenly becoming symptomatic at altitude have not been reported previously. We report three cases of previously unsuspected brain tumors that suddenly became symptomatic at high altitudes.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Altitude*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain Neoplasms / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Travel