32 cases of Pseudotumor cerebri in two pediatric hospitals of Tehran, Iran

Pseudotumor Cerbri (PTC) is a clinical syndrome characterized by increased Intra-Cranial Pressure (ICP) without any evidence of a mass lesion or any obstructive process. The incidence is 0.9-2 per 100.000 people. It is more frequent in adults in the 20-30 years age group, especially obese women, and less common in pediatric age groups; 11-16 years old children may however suffer from PTC, with no difference in the rates of occurrence in either sex. In this descriptive retrospective study we reviewed the files of 32 children with diagnosis of PTC admitted during the past 15 years in the neurology ward of the Mofid Children’s Hospital (25) and Ali Asghar Children Hospitals (7) between the years 1988 and 2003. The results of this study revealed that children in the 5-10 years age group, girls in particular, are more vulnerable. The most frequent complaints that brought these patients to physician included headache, vomiting and strabismus. Common findings of neurological examination were papilledema, abducent nerve palsy and ataxic gait. While all cases recovered with medical treatment, one did need surgical intervention.Abbreviations; Pseudotumor Cerbri = PTC; Intra Cranial pressure = ICP.