Langerhans' cell histiocytosis presenting as intracranial hypertension

Benign intracranial hypertension is known to be associated with obesity, en docrine abnormalities, various medications, and cerebral venous sinus throm bosis. We report a patient presenting with headaches and vomiting attribute d to benign intracranial hypertension. The diagnostic work-up revealed Lang erhans' cell histiocytosis of the occipital bone. There was no evidence for cerebral vein thrombosis by cranial computed tomography scan, Doppler ultr asonography, planar and single photon emission computed tomography techneti um 99m-labelled red blood cell scintigraphy, and magnetic resonance angiogr aphy. Excision of the occipital bone lesion and a short course of acetazola mide and prednisone were curative. We hypothesize that cytokines secreted b y the tumor were responsible for the development of intracranial hypertensi on.