eMedicine Specialties > Neurology > Pediatric Neurology
Pseudotumor Cerebri, Pediatric Perspective
Updated: Dec 4, 2008
Introduction
Background
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is characterized by signs and symptoms of increased intracranial pressure (ICP) in the absence of a space-occupying lesion. Pseudotumor cerebri should be divided into primary (idiopathic) and secondary forms.
In primary pseudotumor cerebri, no cause can be found. In the secondary form, no mass or space-occupying lesion exists, but other potential causative factors can be identified such as venous sinus thrombosis, hypo- or hypervitaminosis A, and the use of certain medications. Treatment of ICP in both types is essentially the same. Primary pseudotumor cerebri typically occurs among obese women of childbearing age. Although prevalence among the pediatric population is not known, the condition is not uncommon among the young. In children younger than 6 years, a specific cause for intracranial hypertension can usually be identified (secondary pseudotumor cerebri). Primary or idiopathic cases are usually seen after age 11 years.
Children with pseudotumor cerebri usually complain of headaches and may have vomiting, blurred vision, and horizontal diplopia. The headaches are diffuse, worse at night, and often aggravated by sudden movement. Less common complaints include irritability, transitory visual loss (obscurations), dizziness, and tinnitus.
As in adults, treatment is designed to decrease intracranial pressure and preserve vision. (See eMedicine article Pseudotumor Cerebri.)
Pathophysiology
The precise mechanism of ICP in pseudotumor cerebri is unknown. Potential factors important in the pathogenesis include excessive CSF and extracellular edema, increased venous sinus pressure, and/or defective CSF absorption. Evidence for each has been documented in the literature and likely more than 1 mechanism is responsible.
The importance of venous sinus pressure is seen in children who develop ICP following thrombosis of 1 or more dural sinuses usually secondary to otitis or mastoiditis. Studies in pseudotumor cerebri have shown elevated sagittal sinus pressure, which could lead to resistance to CSF absorption at the arachnoid villi. Using radioisotope cisternography, affected patients have also been found to have a 3- to 5-fold decrease in CSF absorption.
A number of studies in pseudotumor cerebri have suggested the presence of excessive "brain water" (an edematous brain).
Although controversial, histologic evidence of vasogenic brain edema has been observed in biopsy specimens from a small number of patients. Increased intracranial blood volume has also been shown in several studies and excessive white matter water has been reported on MRI.
Malm et al studied CSF dynamics in 17 patients older than 15 years using a constant pressure infusion method and found reduced conductance to CSF flow; however, it was insufficient to explain the increase in CSF pressure. No significant difference in rate of CSF production was noted between patients with pseudotumor cerebri and controls. They also noted that sagittal sinus pressure was elevated in more than half of their patients, which was attributed to increased brain water content causing compression of venous outflow.1
Using sophisticated MR venography Farb and coworkers found a high incidence of transverse and sigmoid sinus stenoses in patients with primary pseudotumor cerebri compared with controls.2 Other studies have indicated that ICP can cause a collapse of the walls of the transverse sinus, which suggests that venous sinus stenosis is a secondary phenomenon.
Hormonal influences appear to play some role in the pathogenesis of pseudotumor cerebri. In postpuberal patients, the condition is distinctly more common among females. Obesity is a well-recognized risk factor.
Studies have suggested a relationship with nonspecific infections, minor head injury, withdrawal from cortical steroid therapy, vitamin A, acne treatment, and certain antibiotics (tetracyclines). On rare occasion, severe iron deficiency anemia, endocrinopathies, and CO2 retention have been implicated.
Frequency
United States
Epidemiologic studies in children are not available. The annual incidence among all adults in the United States appears to be 0.9 per 100,000; 3.5 per 100,000 females; and 13-19 per 100,000 obese females.
International
- 1.7 per 100,000 incidence in Libya
- 3.5 per 100,000 incidence in adult women
Mortality/Morbidity
- Mortality rate associated with pseudotumor cerebri is no higher than in the general population.
- The only major morbidity is visual loss. The incidence of visual loss among children with pseudotumor cerebri is unknown. Among all patients some degree of permanent visual loss occurs in approximately 10% of cases.
Race
Some studies have suggested that urban African Americans may be at increased risk.
Sex
A strong predilection exists for women after puberty.
Age
Pseudotumor cerebri is most common among women of childbearing age. However, it has been reported in early infancy. Typically, a specific cause can be identified among young children.
Clinical
History
Common signs and symptoms of pseudotumor cerebri in the young include headache, vomiting, blurred vision, and diplopia.
- Headaches are intermittent, diffuse, worse at night, may awaken the child, and often aggravated by sudden movement. (For related information, see Medscape's Headache Resource Center.)
- Visual disturbances include visual obscurations, blurred vision, double vision, and photophobia. Diplopia is almost always horizontal (side by side) and is secondary to paresis of the sixth cranial nerve. It has been estimated that up to 50% of children with pseudotumor cerebri have sixth cranial nerve dysfunction.
- Other symptoms of increased intracranial pressure include lethargy, irritability, and vomiting.
- Nonspecific associated symptoms include neck stiffness, tinnitus, dizziness, clumsiness, and paresthesias.
Physical
- The neurologic examination is typically normal with the exception of papilledema and weakness of one or both of the abducens nerves.
- Other cranial nerve palsies have been reported on rare occasion.
- General medical examination may reveal signs of otitis media or mastoiditis, which raises the possibility of venous sinus thrombosis. The presence of acne vulgaris should prompt an inquiry about the possible use of retinoic acid or tetracyclines. Physical findings of adrenal or thyroid dysfunction may also be present.
- Papilledema: Funduscopic examination reveals optic disk nerve swelling (papilledema). Diagnosis should not be made in the absence of papilledema unless the patient has optic atrophy. Papilledema is typically bilateral but may be asymmetrical or unilateral. Initially, visual acuity is usually preserved helping one to distinguish acute papilledema from optic neuritis.
Causes
Many conditions are associated with pseudotumor cerebri in children, none of which are convincingly causative, with the exception of medications.
- The following medications may be associated with pseudotumor cerebri:
- Retinoic acid
- Antibiotics - Tetracycline, nitrofurantoin, fluoroquinolones
- Hormones - Steroid use or withdrawal (even topical use), oral contraceptives, L-thyroxine
- Vitamin A
- Lithium
- Immunizations - In one case report, development of pseudotumor cerebri in a 7-month-old following DTP immunization
- Refeeding and weight gain in nutritionally deprived children (eg, cystic fibrosis)
- Endocrine abnormalities: These include adrenal dysfunction and Addison disease, hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, hypocalcemia due to vitamin D deficiency or hypoparathyroidism, and panhypopituitarism.
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| References |
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Further Reading
Keywords
benign intracranial hypertension, hypertensive meningeal hydrops, idiopathic intracranial hypertension, otitic hydrocephalus, serous meningitis, toxic hydrocephalus, PTC, pseudotumor cerebri
Overview: Pseudotumor Cerebri, Pediatric Perspective