A child with transient neurologic deficits and headache associated with cerebrospinal fluid pleocytosis.

We report a case of a 10-year-old girl who had several episodes of severe headache, altered consciousness, and temporary neurologic signs and symptoms within a 2-month period. Cerebrospinal fluid examination showed lymphocytic pleocytosis and increased protein. Extensive microbiologic investigation and neuroimaging studies were negative. Cerebrospinal fluid findings were normalized within a 3-month period, and the patient has not had further episodes through 15 months of follow-up. This combination of symptoms represents a benign, monophasic illness without further progression. The etiology, however, remains unclear.