Saliha Yavuz ERAVCI, Burcu ÇALIŞKAN, Abdullah CANBAL, Ahmet Sami GÜVEN, Hüseyin ÇAKSEN, Gülfidan BİTİRGEN
Eastern Journal of Medicine (EJM) - 2026;31(2):398-404
Pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) presents with symptoms such as headache, nausea, vomiting, and visual di sturbances. The aim of this study is to retrospectively evaluate the clinical, laboratory, demographic, and radiological findings of pediatric patients f ollowed with a diagnosis of PTC in our clinic. Cases diagnosed with PTC between the years 2015 -2022 and followed for at least 6 months were included in the study. The patients' clinical features, laboratory results, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure measurements, brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) findings and ophthalmologic examination results were ret rospectively evaluated. The study population consisted of 27(63%) female and 16(37%) male. The symptoms of the cases included headache in 32(74%), nausea -vomiting in 14(32%), diplopia in 11(25%), 6th cranial nerve involvement in 9 (20%), blurred vision in 8(19%), and photophobia in 7(16%). Papilledema was present in 37(86%) of the cases, with a mean CSF pressure of 36.1+/-10.3(26 -67)cm H?O. When comparing the retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness of the right and left eyes during diagnosis and follow -up, it was observed that RNFL values that were higher during diagnosis had significantly decreased during follow -up (respectively, p=0. 001, p=0.001). Brain MRI images revealed tortuosity of the optic nerve in 3 cases and partial empty sella in 2 cases. The most com monly recommended treatment was acetazolamide. PTC is a disease that is relatively common in children, although not as much a s in adults. To prevent the development of optic atrophy that can lead to visual impairment, cases should be promptly diagnosed, treated and interdisciplinary follow -up is required.
