Pseudotumor cerebri in childhood and adolescence: data from a specialized service

To report cases of children and adolescents diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri associated or not with rheumatic disease.

This was a retrospective study based on medical reports of 29 patients, up to 18 years of age and diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, followed up in the Pediatric Rheumatology and Neurology outpatient clinics of a tertiary hospital, until December 2016.

Among the 29 patients diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri, 51.7% were girls and the mean age at the disease onset was 12.3 years. In 18 patients (62%) where an etiology was found, four were associated with a rheumatic disease. The most common symptom was headache (69%) and acetazolamide was the most used medication (69%). Two patients developed blindness and 10 are still being followed up.

Although rare, pseudotumor cerebri should be considered in children with headaches, especially in patients with rheumatic disease.