Pseudotumor Cerebri in a Retired Boxer

Abstract

Boxing is a combat sport in which two people throw punches at each other by standing without any extra tool in order to gain advantage over each other in a predetermined area under certain rules. Boxing is a popular sport having millions of athletes and audience all around the world. However, disablement and fatal injuries are very common among boxers. It is even known that such injuries increase intracranial pressure in brain. In this study, a 45-year-old male patient, who had been engaged in boxing sport for 25 years and was later diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, applied to our clinic with complaint of long-term headache. No papilledema or hemianopia was detected. But high pressure in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) had been detected. It can be understood that boxers must regularly consult a physician to reduce neurological injuries caused by head trauma, strikes that may cause permanent injury in the head, and the adverse effects of head injuries on health and sportive performance of the athletes.