Young child with a “false brain tumor” due to Lyme disease

JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Leave your comments below

I will be discussing a case involving a 9-year-old boy with a pseudotumor cerebri due to Lyme disease

This case was described by Ezequiel  and colleagues  in the journal BMJ Case Rep (2018).

Pseudotumor cerebri means “false brain tumor” because its symptoms are similar to those caused by brain tumors. It’s also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

The boy was admitted to the hospital with “daily pulsatile frontotemporal headache, pallor, photophobia and phonophobia, without night awakening, vomiting or visual changes,”  wrote the authors.

The doctors initially suspected a pseudotumor cerebri.  The tests were negative.

Instead, the doctors diagnosed Lyme disease by a spinal tap and blood tests.  He was prescribed 3 weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone.  His pseudotumor cerebri resolved.

1. Jozefowicz-Korczynska M, Zamyslowska-Szmytke E, Piekarska A, Rosiak O. Vertigo and Severe Balance Instability as Symptoms of Lyme Disease-Literature Review and Case Report. Front Neurol. 2019 Nov 12;10:1172.

You can hear more about these cases through his blogs, social media, and YouTube. Sign up for our newsletter to keep up with these cases.
How to Connect with Dr. Daniel Cameron:

• Check out his website: https://www.DanielCameronMD.com/
• Call his office: 914-666-4665
• Email him: DCameron@DanielCameronMD.com
• Send him a request:  https://danielcameronmd.com/contact-daniel-cameron-md/
• Like him on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/drdanielcameron/
• Join his Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/danielcameronmd/
• Follow him on Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrDanielCameron
• Sign up for his newsletter: https://www.DanielCameronMD.com/
• Subscribe and ring the bell: https://www.youtube.com/user/danielcameronmd/
• Leave a review on iTunes or wherever else you get your podcasts.

We, of course, hope you’ll join the conversation, connect with us and other readers, ask questions, and share your insights.

Dr. Cameron is a Lyme disease expert and the author “Inside Lyme: An expert’s guide to the science of Lyme disease.” He has been treating adolescents and adults for more than 30 years.

Please remember that the advice given is general and not intended as specific advice as to any particular patient. If you require specific advice, then please seek that advice from an experienced professional.