OCCURRENCE OF PSEUDOTUMOR CEREBRI (BENIGN INTRACRANIAL HYPERTENSION) DURING TREATMENT OF CHILDREN WITH ASTHMA BY ADRENAL STEROIDS

Abstract

The development of pseudotumor cerebri (benign intracranial hypertension) is described in three young boys with asthma, who were receiving small doses of adrenal steroids during a stage of withdrawal of treatment. These patients had received continuous steroid treatment for several years, beginning in late infancy. They had acquired the appearance of Cushing's disease. The mechanism by which pseudotumor cerebri developed in these three children was not determined. Various hypotheses are discussed. Attention is called to the sequence of events in these children with asthma as another possible complication of prolonged use of steroid therapy.