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Glioblastoma - Frontal Lobe - Case 4

A 44 year-old woman presented with word finding difficulty and a right hemiparesis which developed over 2 months.

Note the Acute Blood (Dark on T1 and T2)                  Show the Vasogenic Edema                  Show the Gadolinium Enhancement

Glioblastoma Multiforme (Frontal Lobe). MRI axial images s/p stereotactic biopsy: (Left) T1-weighted image; (Middle) T2-weighted image; (Right) T1-weighted with gadolinium image. Note the large mass in the deep left frontal lobe with central necrosis and surrounding edema. There is a circular area in the center of the mass which is dark on both T1- and T2-weighted images, which represents acute hemorrhage likely from the biopsy. Pathology 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 11/25/06.
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston