Pseudotumor cerebri: A rare complication of varicella

Abstract

Pseudotumor cerebri is a clinical syndrome that mimics brain tumor and is characterized by increased intracranial pressure in the absence of intracranial pathology. This syndrome may have an identifiable specific underlying cause or may be idiopathic. The possible association between this condition and infections has been suggested in a few case series. We present a child with nephrotic syndrome on low dose steroids who developed pseudotumor cerebri following varicella infection. There are very few case reports describing such an association previously. We suggest that pseudotumor cerebri should be included in the differential diagnosis of persistent headache in a child suffering from varicella infection, especially when the child is on steroids.

Keywords

Pseudotumor cerebri - varicella - nephrotic syndrome