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Pseudotumor cerebri complicating measles: a case report and literature review

Haydar Ali Taşdemir1, Cengiz Dilber, Mehmet Totan

  • 1Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.

Brain & Development
|March 1, 2006
PubMed

Insights

A young girl developed pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), a condition causing increased intracranial pressure, after a measles infection. This case highlights a rare but serious neurological complication following measles.

Area of Science:

  • Neurology
  • Pediatrics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Measles is a common viral illness in children.
  • Neurological complications of measles are rare but can be severe.
  • Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) is a condition characterized by increased intracranial pressure without a clear cause.

Observation:

  • An 8-year-old girl presented with severe headache, nausea, vomiting, and photophobia.
  • Fundoscopic examination revealed bilateral swollen optic discs and tortuous blood vessels.
  • Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed elevated opening pressure (30 cm H2O) but normal cell counts, glucose, and protein levels.

Findings:

  • The patient had a recent history of measles infection with fever and rash.
  • Elevated serum measles immunoglobulin M levels confirmed recent measles infection.
  • The clinical presentation and investigations were consistent with pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) secondary to measles.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the potential for measles infection to trigger rare neurological conditions like PTC.
  • Early recognition and management of PTC are crucial to prevent vision loss.
  • Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms linking measles virus to PTC development.

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