Gliomatosis cerebri presenting as rapidly progressive dementia and parkinsonism in an elderly woman: a case report
Gliomatosis cerebri presenting as rapidly progressive dementia and parkinsonism in an elderly woman: a case report
Journal of Medical Case Reports 2008, 2:53
Published: December 2009
Published: December 2009
Abstract
Introduction
Dementia is one of the most important neurological disorders in the elderly. Dementia of tumoral origin is rare and parkinsonism of neoplastic origin is unusual. We herein report a case of gliomatosis cerebri, a very rare brain tumor seldom affecting the elderly, which presented as rapidly progressive dementia and parkinsonism.
Case presentation
An 82-year-old woman very rapidly developed progressive dementia and akineto-rigid parkinsonism. Brain CT scan was normal. Cerebral magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with gadolinium injection highlighted a diffuse tumor-related infiltration involving both lobes, the putamen, the pallidum, the substantia nigra, and the brainstem, corresponding to the specific description and definition of gliomatosis cerebri.
Conclusion
This atypical presentation of a gliomatosis cerebri, and the infiltration of the substantia nigra by the tumor, merits attention.
Introduction
Dementia is one of the most important neurological disorders in the elderly.In occidental countries, the most common forms of dementia are Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia, with frequencies of 70 and 15%, respectively. Dementia of tumoral origin is rare. It may be related either to the tumour itself, especially primary central nervous system lymphoma or low grade glioma, or to the tumour's treatment (radiation-induced encephalopathy). Secondary parkinsonism is frequent among elderly people. It includes drug-induced parkinsonism (due to Dopamine Receptor Blockers) and vascular parkinsonism. Nevertheless, parkinsonism of neoplastic origin is unusual. We herein report a case of probable gliomatosis cerebri, a very rare brain tumor seldom affecting the elderly, which presented as rapidly progressive dementia and parkinsonism.
Keywords:
glioblastoma mutiforme, mr sepctroscopy, corticospinal tract, positron emission tomography, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, dementia care, dementia symptoms, stages of dementia, parkinsons tremor, deep brain stimulation parkinsons, dopamine parkinson,
glioblastoma mutiforme, mr sepctroscopy, corticospinal tract, positron emission tomography, frontotemporal dementia, vascular dementia, dementia care, dementia symptoms, stages of dementia, parkinsons tremor, deep brain stimulation parkinsons, dopamine parkinson,
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