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Pseudotumor Cerebri Presenting by Neck Rigidity and Torticollis
Afagh Hassanzadeh Rad1, Vahid Aminzadeh1
1Pediatric Diseases Research Center, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Rasht, Iran.
Insights
Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is rare in children. Neck rigidity and torticollis can be key symptoms, prompting fundoscopic exams for early diagnosis and to prevent vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is an uncommon yet serious condition in children.
- Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial to prevent permanent visual impairment.
Observation:
- This case report details a child presenting with neck rigidity and torticollis, rather than the typical headache.
- These symptoms improved with reduced intracranial pressure.
Findings:
- Neck rigidity and torticollis, while common in other neurological disorders, should raise suspicion for PTCS in children.
- Fundoscopic examination is vital for diagnosing PTCS when other neurological symptoms are unexplained.
Implications:
- Considering PTCS in the differential diagnosis for pediatric neck rigidity and torticollis can lead to earlier detection.
- Timely intervention based on fundoscopic findings can avert severe complications like irreversible vision loss.
Abstract:
Pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS) is an uncommon disease in children. On-time diagnosis and treatment can prevent irreversible visual loss. Although headache is the most common complaint of children with this syndrome, the present case report reported a child with neck rigidity and torticollis, declined by the reduction of intracranial pressure. Despite the importance of torticollis and neck rigidity presented in various significant neurological disorders in need of thorough investigations, in the case of unexplained symptoms of those disorders, it is recommended to consider fundoscopic examinations for PTCS to prevent its vital complications.
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