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Pseudotumor cerebri - idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the pediatric population

Anat Kesler1, Haim Bassan

  • 1Neuro-Ophthalmology Unit, Department of Ophthalmology, Pediatric-Neurology Unit, Dana Children's Hospital, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Israel. kesler@netvision.net.il

Pediatric Endocrinology Reviews : PER
|July 4, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), also known as Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), affects children differently than adults. This condition presents unique characteristics in prepubertal versus pubertal children, with secondary risk factors being common.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric neurology
  • Ophthalmology
  • Neuroscience

Background:

  • Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC), or Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH), is a recognized neurological syndrome in children.
  • While less common in pediatric patients than adults, PTC/IIH exhibits distinct clinical features.
  • The condition presents differently in prepubertal versus pubertal age groups, with secondary risk factors frequently identified.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To delineate the specific epidemiological and clinical characteristics of PTC/IIH in the pediatric population.
  • To compare and contrast the manifestations of PTC/IIH in prepubertal and pubertal children.
  • To identify common secondary risk factors associated with PTC/IIH in pediatric cases.

Main Methods:

  • Review of pediatric cases diagnosed with PTC/IIH.
  • Analysis of clinical presentations, including neurological and ophthalmological findings.
  • Evaluation of associated secondary risk factors and patient demographics.

Main Results:

  • PTC/IIH in children shows variations based on age group (prepubertal vs. pubertal).
  • Secondary causes are frequently implicated in pediatric PTC/IIH.
  • The underlying pathophysiology of PTC/IIH remains incompletely understood, even in pediatric cohorts.

Conclusions:

  • PTC/IIH in children is a distinct entity with age-specific variations.
  • Recognition of secondary risk factors is crucial for managing pediatric PTC/IIH.
  • Further research is needed to elucidate the undefined pathophysiological mechanisms of PTC/IIH in children.

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