Objective: To investigate the clinical features of children and adolescents diagnosed with pseudotumor cerebri (PTC) retrospectively and to investigatethe relationship between primary and secondary PTC and puberty and other variables.

Material and Methods: The hospital files of children and adolescents who were followed up with the diagnosis of PTC by the pediatric neurology unit between January 2017 and September 2019. Cases were divided into two groups as primary and secondary PTS.

Results: A total of 20 children and adolescents were included in the primary (idiopathic) 70% (n=14) and secondary (30%) secondary PTC group. While 55% (n=11) of the cases were in the pubertal period, 45% (n=9) were in the prepubertal period. 60% (n=12) of the cases were female and 40% (n=8) were male. The mean age was 11.8 years (3.6 standard deviations), minimum 3-maximum 17 years. One patient had secondary sinus vein thrombosis secondary to infection, one neurobehcet, one vitamin D deficiency, one uveitis, one meningitis and one retinoic acid drug usage. While 30% (n=6) of the cases were detected incidentally, 20% (n=4) had headache, 15% (n=3) had decreased vision especially at night, 10% (n=2) had double vision, whereas there was partial vision in 5% (n=1), dizziness in 5% (n=1) and seizures in 5% (n=1). Age, sex, pubertal period, disease duration, pathology in neurological examination, presence of papilledema, pathology found in MRI or MR-venography, CSF pressure levels were similar in primary and secondary PTC (p>.05).

Conclusion: Approximately one third of PTC cases are detected incidentally and the reason for admission or examination findings seem to be independent of whether it is primary or secondary. 

Keywords: Child,, Adolescent,, Primary,, Secondary,, Pseudotumor cerebri