Transient bulging of the anterior fontanel

Abstract

Bulging of the anterior fontanel could be an ominous sign, especially when associated with other signs or symptoms of raised intracranial pressure. However, some benign conditions have also been reported with bulging of the anterior fontanel such as following Rotaviral gastroenteritis, respiratory tract infection, rosella infantum infection, and vaccination. This is usually transient and its exact mechanism is not completely understood. Therefore, the case of a 5-month-old boy who had a bulging anterior fontanel following treatment for meningitis, which was confused with postmeningitic hydrocephalus, is reported.

Keywords

• Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
• meningitis
• pseudotumor cerebri
• transient bulging of anterior fontanel