Lyme Disease and Papilledema: A Retrospective Study on Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes.

Abstract

Objective: Describe the clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and outcome data of children with papilledema associated with Lyme disease at a large tertiary care pediatric hospital.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study of children 1-18 years old who received care at our institution between 1995 and 2019 with concurrent diagnoses of papilledema and Lyme disease. Data were abstracted from records and prospective family surveys.

Results: Among 44 children included (median age 9.7 years), 66% (29/44) had additional cranial neuropathies, and 78% (32/41) had cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. All children were treated with antibiotics (39% oral, 55% intravenous, 7% both); 61% (27/44) were also treated with oral acetazolamide. Symptoms fully resolved in 86% (30/35) of children with follow-up data. Proportion recovered did not significantly differ by antibiotic administration route or presence/absence of cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis.

Conclusions: Papilledema in Lyme disease may occur with or without cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis. Most children recover without residual deficits following treatment, although exceptions exist.