Glioblastoma multiforme presenting as postpartum depression: a case report

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Oncology
• Psychiatry

Background:

• Mental status alterations are common in psychiatric disorders but also signal organic causes.
• Standard psychiatric diagnostics include physical exams and blood tests, with advanced imaging reserved for abnormal findings.
• This case challenges the conventional approach by presenting glioblastoma multiforme as postpartum depression without initial diagnostic abnormalities.

Observation:

• A 28-year-old woman treated for postpartum depression presented with disorientation and severe long-term memory deficits.
• She reported headaches, but physical exams and blood work were normal.
• Brain MRI revealed a contrast-enhancing lesion in the left frontal lobe.

Findings:

• Histologic analysis confirmed an IDH-mutant glioblastoma multiforme.
• The patient's psychopathology significantly improved after tumor resection.
• No neurological deficits were present post-surgery.

Implications:

• This case underscores that postpartum depression can have underlying organic etiologies.
• Atypical neurocognitive findings during psychiatric assessment may necessitate brain imaging, irrespective of normal physical and blood test results.
• Clinicians should consider organic causes in patients presenting with psychiatric symptoms, even without initial red flags.