A rare case of headache in a 4-year-old child: sphenoiditis

Background Isolated sphenoidal sinusitis is an uncommon cause of headaches in children and adolescents. Recognizing the condition on physical examination alone can be challenging, and delayed diagnosis often occurs. Case presentation A 4-year-old child presented with symptoms of headache, fever, and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Child's nervous system 2023-05, Vol.39 (5), p.1357-1360
Main Authors: Bijou, Walid, Oukessou, Youssef, Larhrabli, Ibtissam, Rouadi, Sami, Abada, Reda, Mahtar, Mohammed
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Case Report
Child
Child, Preschool
Diagnosis, Differential
Endoscopy - methods
Headache - diagnosis
Headache - etiology
Humans
Magnetic Resonance Imaging - adverse effects
Medicine
Medicine & Public Health
Neurosciences
Neurosurgery
Sphenoid Sinusitis - complications
Sphenoid Sinusitis - diagnostic imaging
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Citations: Items that this one cites
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Summary:Background Isolated sphenoidal sinusitis is an uncommon cause of headaches in children and adolescents. Recognizing the condition on physical examination alone can be challenging, and delayed diagnosis often occurs. Case presentation A 4-year-old child presented with symptoms of headache, fever, and vomiting. Nasal endoscopy, computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to confirm the diagnosis of isolated sphenoiditis. The patient was treated with antibiotics and steroids. However, the patient developed meningoencephalitis as a complication of the untreated isolated sphenoiditis. Conclusion Isolated sphenoidal sinusitis can lead to serious complications if left untreated. Adjunctive imaging and prompt treatment are essential to prevent such complications in children and adolescents. This case highlights the importance of considering isolated sphenoiditis in the differential diagnosis of pediatric headaches and the need for early diagnosis and treatment.
ISSN:0256-7040
1433-0350
DOI:10.1007/s00381-022-05820-0