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Constant Headache, Weight Gain, and Papilledema in a Teenage Girl

March 28, 2012

New onset continuous headache is an uncommon symptom in childhood and warrants thorough neurologic and ophthalmic examinations.

It is notable that the patient’s headaches worsen with activities that raise intracranial pressure. The alteration in mood and personality and weight gain may suggest depression—a comorbidity commonly associated with migraine headaches and chronic pain syndromes.

The presence of papilledema, however, makes this case a neurologic emergency.

Are there red flags, in addition to papilledema, that raise your suspicion? What tests would you order to reach a diagnosis?

Please add your comment below, then click here…

by Shahnawaz Amdani | April 18, 2012 10:20 PM EDT

This is a case of pseudotumor cerebri.

by Bilguis Al-Eryani | April 09, 2012 2:16 AM EDT

The red flags include the fact that the headache wakes the patient from sleep, increase of pain with activities that raise the intracranial pressure, alteration in mood and personality and the papilledema all raise concern.

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Constant Headache, Weight Gain, and Papilledema in a Teenage Girl

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