Pseudopapilledema: Disc Drusen

Synonyms

Buried disc drusen; Disc hyaline bodies; Pseudoneuritis; Pseudopapilledma

Definition

Optic disc drusen (ODD) are congenital or developmental optic disc abnormalities that tend to become more noticeable and superficial by ophthalmoscopy over time. These yellowish depositions have a “globular lumpy-bumpy” appearance on and around optic nerve head distorting the edges of optic disc and producing an anomalous, elevated appearance with loss of the physiologic optic cup and may be mistaken for true disc edema. ODD are mostly asymptomatic and can be an incidental finding during routine eye examination. It is important to evaluate patients with ODD and appropriately document the findings in order to avoid unnecessary neurological testing as it can be misdiagnosed true disc edema later. There is no proven treatment for ODD but many patients even with abnormal visual fields remain asymptomatic.

Etiology

ODD is believed to be an abnormal accumulation of protein and calcium salts in the...