<% strPathPics = Session("strPathPicsL") imgBg = strPathPics + Session("strMedia") %> Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma - Frontal Lobe - Case 1

A 54 year-old woman presented with slowed thinking and a mild right hemiparesis.

Show the Gadolinium Enhanced Scan

Glioblastoma Multiforme (Frontal Lobe). T1-weighted axial MRI. Note the large mass in the deep left frontal lobe with central necrosis and surrounding edema. Also note the prominent enhancement with gadolinium. Biopsy showed glioblastoma multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), also referred to as a Grade IV astrocytoma, is the most common type of primary brain tumor. It is a malignant tumor that carries a very poor prognosis, and typically results in death in 2 years. On CT and MRI imaging, the tumor is often large, irregular and infiltrative, and located in the white matter with surrounding edema. Histologically, the tumor is highly cellular and anaplastic with necrosis. Associated hemorrhage is not uncommon.

Clinically, patients present with slowly progressive focal neurological signs, and signs of increased intracranial pressure (i.e., headache, nausea, and vomiting). Seizures may be an initial presentation or may occur later in the course.


Revised 11/20/06.
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston