|
A 44 year-old woman presented with progressive spasticity of the left lower extremity. |
| Glioblastoma Multiforme (Frontal Lobe).
(Left) T2-weighted
axial MRI; (Middle) T1-weighted axial MRI; (Right) T1-weighted with gadolinium
axial MRI. Note the large, well demarcated mass in the right posterior frontal lobe that enhances with gadolinium (GAD). There is also
a cystic component to the tumor. Surgical biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of
malignant glioblastoma. 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
11/30/06.
Copyrighted 2006. David C Preston