Glioblastoma Mimicking Herpes Simplex Encephalitis.
10.3340/jkns.2011.50.2.119
- Author:
Tai Seung NAM
1
;
Kang Ho CHOI
;
Myeong Kyu KIM
;
Ki Hyun CHO
Author Information
1. Department of Neurology, Chonnam National University Hwasun Hospital, Hwasun, Korea. nts0022@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Glioblastoma;
Herpes simplex encephalitis
- MeSH:
Aged;
Biopsy;
Brain;
Edema;
Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex;
Follow-Up Studies;
Glioblastoma;
Headache;
Herpes Simplex;
Humans;
Leukocytosis;
Methylmethacrylates;
Polystyrenes;
Seizures;
Temporal Lobe
- From:Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
2011;50(2):119-122
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
We report a case of 70-year-old man with glioblastoma presenting as acute encephalitic illness. The patient exhibited sudden onset of cognitive impairment and headache for 2 days. Initial brain MRI showed left temporal lobe hyperintensity, and cerebrospinal fluid cytology revealed a mild pleocytosis. The patient had initially improved after medical treatment with a presumptive diagnosis of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE). After 8 months, the patient complained of recurrent seizures. A follow-up brain MRI revealed marked increases in size and surrounding perilesional edema in the left temporal lesion on T2-weighted images and a new contrast-enhancing lesion on gadolinium-enhanced T1-weighted images. Stereotactic brain biopsy revealed a glioblastoma. The atypical encephalitic presentation of glioblastoma should be considered if definitive evidence for the diagnosis of HSE cannot be obtained.
