Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme
Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant glial tumour classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a stage IV astrocytoma. It varies in shape and size and can be cystic, vascular and necrotic. It often appears as a ring-enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (M...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SMC MEDIA SRL
2018-09-01
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| Series: | European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/954 |
| _version_ | 1818421635290497024 |
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| author | Wissam Al-Janabi Renee Krebs Ximena Arcila-Londono Iram Zaman Bashiruddin K Ahmad |
| author_facet | Wissam Al-Janabi Renee Krebs Ximena Arcila-Londono Iram Zaman Bashiruddin K Ahmad |
| author_sort | Wissam Al-Janabi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant glial tumour classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a stage IV astrocytoma. It varies in shape and size and can be cystic, vascular and necrotic. It often appears as a ring-enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most common symptoms of GBM, such as headache, vomiting and seizures, are due to increased intracranial pressure. The objective of this case report is to describe an atypical presentation of GBM.
Case Report: A 53-year-old woman of Italian origin presented with a 2-week history of lack of coordination in her hands and some difficulty in speech. Electromyography for assessment of her arms and cranial bulbar function was normal. However, 2 days later, the patient presented to the emergency department with progressive weakness in her left arm and leg as well as difficulty in speech. Mild left facial asymmetry was noted. A brain MRI revealed a right frontal mass. Stereotactic surgical resection was performed 2 days later, and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of GBM. Although headache and other features of raised intracranial pressure are the most common initial symptoms of GBM, any atypical neurological or psychiatric presentation in an adult patient should raise suspicion for this tumour.
Conclusion: Careful analysis of an adult with atypical signs and symptoms along with thorough review of radiological tests will facilitate early diagnosis of dangerous tumours such as GBM. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-14T13:13:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-d9fc321b40e84851a3c97ce6629c7a9f |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2284-2594 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-14T13:13:29Z |
| publishDate | 2018-09-01 |
| publisher | SMC MEDIA SRL |
| record_format | Article |
| series | European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine |
| spelling | doaj.art-d9fc321b40e84851a3c97ce6629c7a9f2022-12-21T23:00:08ZengSMC MEDIA SRLEuropean Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine2284-25942018-09-0110.12890/2018_000954954Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma MultiformeWissam Al-Janabi0Renee Krebs1Ximena Arcila-Londono2Iram Zaman3Bashiruddin K Ahmad4Neurology Department, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USANeurology Department, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USANeurology Department, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USANeurology Department, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USANeurology Department, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USABackground: Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly malignant glial tumour classified by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a stage IV astrocytoma. It varies in shape and size and can be cystic, vascular and necrotic. It often appears as a ring-enhancing lesion on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The most common symptoms of GBM, such as headache, vomiting and seizures, are due to increased intracranial pressure. The objective of this case report is to describe an atypical presentation of GBM. Case Report: A 53-year-old woman of Italian origin presented with a 2-week history of lack of coordination in her hands and some difficulty in speech. Electromyography for assessment of her arms and cranial bulbar function was normal. However, 2 days later, the patient presented to the emergency department with progressive weakness in her left arm and leg as well as difficulty in speech. Mild left facial asymmetry was noted. A brain MRI revealed a right frontal mass. Stereotactic surgical resection was performed 2 days later, and biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of GBM. Although headache and other features of raised intracranial pressure are the most common initial symptoms of GBM, any atypical neurological or psychiatric presentation in an adult patient should raise suspicion for this tumour. Conclusion: Careful analysis of an adult with atypical signs and symptoms along with thorough review of radiological tests will facilitate early diagnosis of dangerous tumours such as GBM.https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/954Glioblastoma multiformeprimary care physicianWorld Health Organizationemergency departmentcerebrospinal fluid |
| spellingShingle | Wissam Al-Janabi Renee Krebs Ximena Arcila-Londono Iram Zaman Bashiruddin K Ahmad Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme European Journal of Case Reports in Internal Medicine Glioblastoma multiforme primary care physician World Health Organization emergency department cerebrospinal fluid |
| title | Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme |
| title_full | Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme |
| title_fullStr | Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme |
| title_full_unstemmed | Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme |
| title_short | Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme |
| title_sort | atypical presentation of glioblastoma multiforme |
| topic | Glioblastoma multiforme primary care physician World Health Organization emergency department cerebrospinal fluid |
| url | https://www.ejcrim.com/index.php/EJCRIM/article/view/954 |
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