Characteristics of pediatric patients with pseudotumor cerebri hospitalized at the Centro Hospitalario Pereira Rossell, period 2012–2022
Abstract
Introduction: Pseudotumor cerebri (PC), or idiopathic intracranial hypertension, is a rare condition in children, characterized by increased intracranial pressure without evidence of structural brain lesions or cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities. Early recognition is essential due to the risk of permanent visual sequelae.
Objective: To describe the clinical, epidemiological, and evolutionary characteristics of patients under 15 years of age hospitalized with a diagnosis of PC at the Pereira Rossell Hospital Center between 2012 and 2022.
Methods: A descriptive and retrospective study was conducted. We included patients under 15 years who met the modified Friedman (2013) diagnostic criteria for PC.
Demographic and clinical variables, diagnostic findings, treatment, outcomes, and recurrence were analyzed. Results are presented as frequencies and medians with interquartile ranges.
Results: Eleven patients were identified; median age was 12 years (IQR 10–13), 6 were male. Headache was the predominant symptom (n=10), followed by vomiting (n=8) and visual symptoms (n=5). All patients presented bilateral papilledema, and 4 showed indirect signs of intracranial hypertension on neuroimaging. Ten patients received acetazolamide as first-line therapy, while one initially received topiramate and furosemide. Median treatment duration was 6 months (IQR 5–10). Only one recurrence was reported. No deaths occurred.
Conclusions: PC is an uncommon condition in childhood but carries a potential risk of severe visual impairment. All patients showed a favorable outcome with medical treatment and specialized follow-up. This study provides relevant local information and highlights the need to maintain high diagnostic suspicion and to promote future multicenter research in our country.
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