Froin Syndrome and the Associated Papilloedema

Abstract

The syndrome of cerebrospinal fluid xanthochromia and hyper-coagulability described by Froin in 1903 is revisited, with particular reference to the associated raised intracranial pressure and papilloedema. A case is presented where there was no spinal tumour present, only adhesions found at operation, and where lumbar puncture revealed a very high protein content. A review of the literature failed to produce any guidance for the management of papilloedema in cases of Froin syndrome, and we find that this expected associated optic disc manifestation of raised intracranial pressure is mentioned in only one of the major neurosurgical textbooks. It appears that repeated lumbar puncture, even at fairly long intervening periods, may be the treatment of choice for dealing with this associated sight-threatening condition.

Keywords::

• Froin syndrome
• lumbar puncture
• papilloedema
• raised CSF protein
• spinal adhesions
• spinal tumour
• xanthochromia

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

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