Infantile pseudotumor cerebri related to viral illness

Abstract

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) presents with varied spectrum of manifestations, association with diverse pathological conditions and variable outcome. A preliminary observation on children presenting with PTC is being presented because of certain peculiarities, not observed earlier, like occurring in clusters during particular season, all were infants having close relationship with viral illness and all had extremely benign outcome. Children presenting with raised ICP were hospitalised and evaluated. The relevant investigations carried out included lumbar puncture, cranial ultrasonography, CT Scan and culture studies. Fifteen children, all in infancy with male-female ratio of 2 : 3 presented in clusters of 11 (73.3%) cases during late summer and early fall presented with bulging fontanelle¹⁵, vomiting 11, fever 12, respiratory infection 5, diarrhea 5, lateral deviation of eye balls 4 and skin rashes 5 cases. Contact with viral illness in the family was found in 10 cases. Lumbar puncture showed high opening high CSF pressure in all. Results of this study suggest peculiar and perhaps different form of PTC seen recently which affected only the infants. These were closely related to viral illness and had benign outcome.