Pseudotumor Cerebri an Allergic Phenomenon?

Abstract

An attempt was made to analyze the clinical data presented by 17 children manifesting signs of benign intracranial hypertension. As with previous reports, a multiplicity of etiologic factors were implicated. Steroid administration was thought responsible in the majority of children as an antecedent agent, although the duration of administration as well as size of the dosage failed to correlate closely with the production of the pseudotumor cerebri. Usually, Cushingoid effects were observed. Giving a synthetic steroid analogue once again failed to reproduce the lesion in two patients. Among 50% of the children had an existing atopic illness but in no way could this be found causally related to the induction of the pseudotumor; nor could evidence be found to relate the illness to a state of immediate hyper]sensitivity, despite the possible theoretical similarity.