Zoster-associated intracranial hypertension

John J Millichap; Jeremy L Freeman

doi:10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2004.09.002

Zoster-associated intracranial hypertension

Pediatr Neurol. 2005 Mar;32(3):211-2. doi: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2004.09.002.

Authors

John J Millichap¹, Jeremy L Freeman

Affiliation

¹ Departments of Pediatrics and Internal Medicine, Brody School of Medicine at East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, USA.

PMID: 15730906
DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2004.09.002

Abstract

A 14-year-old female presented with headache, vomiting, and a rash. She was found to have papilledema and herpes zoster. Examination of the cerebrospinal fluid revealed pleocytosis and an elevated protein concentration. Varicella-zoster virus deoxyribonucleic acid was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid by polymerase chain reaction. Intracranial hypertension was treated by repeated lumbar puncture and with acetazolamide. This case represents an unusual complication of the reactivation of varicella-zoster virus.

Publication types

Case Reports

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Female
Herpes Zoster / complications*
Herpes Zoster / diagnosis
Herpes Zoster / therapy
Herpesvirus 3, Human / physiology*
Humans
Intracranial Hypertension / diagnosis
Intracranial Hypertension / therapy
Intracranial Hypertension / virology*
Virus Activation*