Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome causing a terson like syndrome

PURPOSE: Terson syndrome presents with retinal and vitreous hemorrhages in patients with a subarachnoid hemorrhage or after acutely elevated intracranial pressure. The source of this hemorrhage has been debated and may originate either from direct extension of intracranial hemorrhage or more likely from the peripapillary retinal vessels. OBSERVATIONS: A 39-year-old woman presenting with nausea, vomiting, floaters and papilledema with normal neuroimaging was diagnosed ultimately with pseudotumor cerebri syndrome. She had a right vitreous hemorrhage and bilateral subretinal and intraretinal hemorrhages which were consistent with Terson like syndrome. Her symptoms resolved with acetazolamide over one month and the retinal and vitreous hemorrhages significantly improved over two months. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPORTANCE: This case with initial presentation of pseudotumor cerebri syndrome causing a Terson like syndrome may help elucidate the mechanism behind the etiology of these hemorrhages from leaking peripapillary vessels.