Pseudotumor cerebri/idiopathic intracranial hypertension in children: An experience of a tertiary care hospital

Objective: Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is diagnosed at increasing rates probably due to the increase in obesity prevalence all over the world and awareness about the disease. Our aim in this study was to evaluate the PTC clinical picture and etiological factors in children at the present time. Method: The records of 53 patients with 32 females, who were diagnosed with PTC in a child neurology department between the years of 2005 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Results: The mean age at presentation was 10.9 years (3–17 years) and approximately half of patients were aged of 11 years or less. While more than half of prepubertal patients were male, girls rate reaches 74% at puberty. An etiological factor such as venous sinus thrombosis, infections, anemia, steroid discontinuation, drugs, slit ventricle syndrome and minor head injury causing the PTC was identified in 43% of the patients. The mean duration of treatment was 6.4 months (3–24 months) and the mean follow-up duration 16.5 months (3–52 months). Visual field constriction was moderate in only two pubertal and obese female patients and mild in four patients. Conclusions: PTC is seen in prepubertal children as often as in puberty. An etiological factor causing PTC is present in about half the patients in childhood. The main etiological factors of the disease currently consist of cranial venous thrombosis, infections, anemia and drugs. Malnutrition, renutrition and related vitamin deficiencies or excesses commonly seen previously have become less important in PTC etiology. PTC is a disease that requires long-term treatment and follow-up but the prognosis is good in patients who are diagnosed early, receive appropriate treatment and show good compliance with the treatment.