Glioblastoma Mimicking Subarachnoid Hemorrhage of Unknown Etiology: A Case Report

Glioblastoma is the most common primary malignant tumor of the brain. Common radiologic findings using initial computed tomography (CT) reveal an intra-axial lesion with perifocal edema. Here, we present a rare case of diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) detected on an initial CT image in a patient without intracranial aneurysm in whom the final diagnosis was glioblastoma.

We report the rare case of a 57-year-old man with glioblastoma in the right temporal lobe who presented with a sudden onset of disturbance of consciousness as an initial manifestation. Initial CT of the head revealed a diffuse SAH. Digital subtraction angiography revealed no cerebral aneurysm or dissection of intracranial arteries. The patient was treated for SAH of unknown etiology with conservative therapy, and a repeat digital subtraction angiography demonstrated no vascular disease. Eventually, he was discharged without any neurologic deficit. A follow-up CT of the brain revealed an intracerebral hemorrhage in the right temporal lobe, and magnetic resonance imaging revealed a ring enhancing lesion in the anterior section of right temporal lobe. The patient was transferred to our department, where he underwent surgical resection, and a pathologic diagnosis of glioblastoma was made.

We present a rare case of glioblastoma mimicking SAH of unknown etiology and recommend including glioblastoma in the differential diagnosis of SAH of unknown etiology.