Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis presenting with occipital neuralgia

Abstract

Abstract:Background: Although occipital neuralgia is usually caused by degenerative arthropathy, nearly 20 other aetiologies may lead to this condition. Methods: We present the first case report of hypertrophic pachymeningitis revealed by isolated occipital neuralgia. Results and conclusions: Idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis is a plausible cause of occipital neuralgia and may present without cranial-nerve palsy. There is no consensus on the treatment for idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis, but the usual approach is to start corticotherapy and then to add immunosuppressants. When occipital neuralgia is not clinically isolated or when a first-line treatment fails, another disease diagnosis should be considered. However, the cost effectiveness of extended investigations needs to be considered.

Effective Response of Methotrexate for Recurrent Idiopathic Hypertrophic Spinal Pachymeningitis

“…Bosman has reported that patients with idiopathic hypertrophic pachymeningitis due to a cranial lesion can be treated using a combination therapy with methotrexate when they are refractory to glucocorticoid therapy or present with serious complications of long-term steroid therapy3). In our review of the literature, 12 patients with idiopathic hypertrophic cranial pachymeningitis was treated initially with methotrexate only or combined therapy with steroid2378101319). However, there is no report of methotrexate in the management of IHSP.…”