Citation

Sabo T, Supnet C, Purkayastha S. Childs Nerv. Syst. 2018; 34(4): 681-690.

Affiliation

Department of Applied Physiology and Wellness, Southern Methodist University, 3101 University Boulevard, Dallas, TX, USA. spurkayastha@smu.edu.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2018, Holtzbrinck Springer Nature Publishing Group)

DOI

10.1007/s00381-017-3681-x

PMID

29230542

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Cerebral edema peaks 36-72 h after moderate traumatic brain injury but thought to be uncommon after mild traumatic brain injury. Post-traumatic headache can develop 48-72 h post-injury, perhaps reflecting the developing cerebral edema. Pseudotumor cerebri can result from various causes, including cerebral edema, and is characterized by increased intracranial pressure, headache, visual, and other common symptoms. Our objective was to report a phenotypically identifiable post-traumatic headache subtype. CASE SERIES PRESENTATION: This case series of six pediatric patients with post-traumatic pseudotumor cerebri was assessed at 48-120 h post-primary injury with new or a change in symptoms such as headache, vision, auditory, balance, and cognition. Clinical findings included slight fever, neck/head pain, papilledema or cranial nerve deficit (6th), and lack of coordination. Elevated cerebral spinal fluid pressure was documented by lumbar puncture, with no infection. Symptoms improved with treatment specific to post-traumatic headache subtype (lumbar puncture, topiramate, or acetazolamide).

CONCLUSIONS: Recognition of specific post-traumatic headache subtypes after mild traumatic brain injury will expedite treatment intervention to lower intracranial pressure and resolve symptoms.

Language: en

Keywords

Acetazolamide; Concussion; Idiopathic intracranial hypertension; Intracranial pressure; Post-traumatic headache; Pseudotumor cerebri