[Pseudotumor cerebri associated with hypovitaminosis A, B6 and D. About two cases]

Arch Argent Pediatr. 2018 Jun 1;116(3):e445-e450. doi: 10.5546/aap.2018.e445.
[Article in Spanish]

Abstract

Idiopathic endocranial hypertension is infrequently associated with hypovitaminosis A and D. The case of an 8-year-old female with 24-hour blurred vision and bilateral papilledema is presented. Nuclear magnetic resonance was normal. Opening pressure of cerebrospinal fluid: 260 mmH2O. She presented vitamin A and D deficiency and started replacement therapy. The second case corresponds to a 12-year-old male with fever and odynophagia of 3 days. History of glomerulonephritis and overweight. He had bipalpebral edema and papilledema. Computed tomography scan of the orbit: increase of fluid in the sheath of both optic nerves. Nuclear magnetic resonance: intrasellar arachnoidocele. Opening pressure of cerebrospinal fluid: 400 mmH2O. He presented vitamin D and B6 deficiency and started replacement treatment. The elevation of intracranial pressure triggers compensation mechanisms that, when they fail, can compromise life or cause serious neurological disabilities. Recognizing the cause for an accurate therapeutic approach is key to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with this pathology.

La hipertensión endocraneana idiopática se asocia infrecuentemente con la hipovitaminosis A y D. Se presenta el caso de una paciente femenina de 8 años con visión borrosa de 24 horas y papiledema bilateral. Resonancia magnética nuclear normal. Presión de apertura de líquido cefalorraquídeo: 260 mmH2O. Presentó déficit de vitamina A y D, e inició un tratamiento sustitutivo. El segundo caso corresponde a un paciente masculino de 12 años con fiebre y odinofagia de 3 días. Con antecedente de glomerulonefritis y sobrepeso. Presentaba edema bipalpebral y papiledema. Tomografía axial computada de la órbita: aumento de líquido en la vaina de ambos nervios ópticos. Resonancia magnética nuclear: aracnoidocele intraselar. Presión de apertura de líquido cefalorraquídeo: 400 mmH2O. Presentó déficit de vitamina D y B6, e inició el tratamiento sustitutivo. La elevación de la presión intracraneal desencadena mecanismos de compensación que, al fallar, pueden comprometer la vida o provocar graves discapacidades neurológicas. Reconocer la causa para un enfoque terapéutico preciso es clave para disminuir la morbimortalidad asociada a esta patología.

Keywords: hypovitaminosis A; hypovitaminosis D; idiopathic intracranial hypertension; papilledema; pseudotumor cerebri.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Child
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Intracranial Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Intracranial Hypertension / etiology
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Papilledema / etiology
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / diagnosis*
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri / etiology
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed / methods
  • Vision Disorders / etiology
  • Vitamin A / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin A Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Vitamin B 6 / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin B 6 Deficiency / drug therapy
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / complications*
  • Vitamin D Deficiency / drug therapy

Substances

  • Vitamin A
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin B 6