Lyme Disease Causing a “False Brain Tumor” in a Child

In this Inside Lyme case discussion, I review a case involving a 9-year-old boy who developed pseudotumor cerebri due to Lyme disease.

The case was described by Ezequiel and colleagues in BMJ Case Reports (2018).

What Is Pseudotumor Cerebri?

Pseudotumor cerebri literally means “false brain tumor.” The condition causes symptoms that resemble those of a brain tumor but without an actual tumor present. It is also known as idiopathic intracranial hypertension.

Case Presentation

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

Doctors initially suspected pseudotumor cerebri. However, initial diagnostic tests were negative.

Further evaluation revealed Lyme disease. The diagnosis was confirmed through a spinal tap and blood testing.

The child was treated with three weeks of intravenous ceftriaxone. After treatment, his pseudotumor cerebri symptoms resolved.

Clinical Insight

This case highlights how Lyme disease can mimic neurological disorders, including conditions that resemble brain tumors. Early recognition and appropriate treatment are essential to prevent complications.

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Dr. Cameron is a Lyme disease expert and the author of Inside Lyme: An Expert’s Guide to the Science of Lyme Disease. He has treated adolescents and adults with tick-borne illnesses for more than 30 years.

Please remember that the information provided here is general and not intended as specific medical advice for any individual patient. If you require specific medical guidance, please consult an experienced healthcare professional.

Dr. Daniel Cameron, MD, MPH
Lyme disease clinician with over 30 years of experience and past president of ILADS.

Symptoms • Testing • Coinfections • Recovery • Pediatric • Prevention