Rapid progression of glioblastoma multiforme: A case report

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) tumors are intracranial lesions with varying shapes that grow rapidly. GBM tumors most commonly present as solitary lesions and multiple lesions are rare. The aim of the present case report was to investigate the imaging features of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In this study, the case of a 60-year-old patient who was hospitalized due to seizures is presented. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed multiple lesions, heterogeneous in size, with peritumoral edema and ring-shaped enhancement. The lesions grew rapidly within 10 days of hospitalization and were initially misdiagnosed as either infections or intracranial metastatic tumors as a result of imaging examinations. The patient was subsequently administered mannitol, diazepam, Tegretol and ceftriaxone. After treatment, the patient recovered and regained full consciousness. However, MRI examination 23 days after hospitalization revealed that the multiple lesions in the left temporal and left occipital lobes had increased in size. Therefore, resection of the tumor in the left temporal occipital lobe was performed. Histopathological examination identified GBM (grade IV) in the left temporal and parietal lobes. The patient succumbed to the disease 7 months after surgery due to GBM recurrence. The findings of the present case indicate that GBM may progress rapidly with a doubling time of 10 days and multiple cystic alterations. Furthermore, if diagnosis of GBM is unclear, early biopsy is recommended.