The mnemonic PTC is used to remember causes of drug-induced Pseudotumor Cerebri. What does the letter T stand for?

The mnemonic PTC is used to remember causes of drug-induced Pseudotumor Cerebri. What does the letter T stand for?

• A. Pimples (Accutane)
• B. Tetracyclines
• C. Contraceptives
• D. Thromboembolism

Answer: (B)

Drug-induced pseudotumor cerebri is raised intracranial pressure without a brain mass, often linked to certain medications. A mnemonic helps recall the culprits: PTC. The T in this mnemonic stands for tetracyclines, a class that includes doxycycline and minocycline. These antibiotics are well known to be associated with intracranial hypertension, likely due to effects on cerebrospinal fluid dynamics or venous drainage, though the exact mechanism isn’t fully settled. When this occurs, stopping the offending drug often leads to symptom improvement, and additional treatments like acetazolamide can be used if needed. The other parts of the mnemonic point to isotretinoin (acne pills) and contraceptives, which are also reported associations, while thromboembolism is not a classic drug cause.

Drug-induced pseudotumor cerebri is raised intracranial pressure without a brain mass, often linked to certain medications. A mnemonic helps recall the culprits: PTC. The T in this mnemonic stands for tetracyclines, a class that includes doxycycline and minocycline. These antibiotics are well known to be associated with intracranial hypertension, likely due to effects on cerebrospinal fluid dynamics or venous drainage, though the exact mechanism isn’t fully settled. When this occurs, stopping the offending drug often leads to symptom improvement, and additional treatments like acetazolamide can be used if needed. The other parts of the mnemonic point to isotretinoin (acne pills) and contraceptives, which are also reported associations, while thromboembolism is not a classic drug cause.