A case of demyelinating disease with clinical and radiological features mimicking cerebral tumor

Demyelinating disease may present with clinical and radiological features mimicking brain tumor. A 43-year-old man was admitted because of progressive right hemiparesis, facial weakness and dysarthria. Computed tomographic scans revealed two expansive lesions in the left frontal lobe and midbrain, respectively. A brain tumor or metastatic lesion was suspected. The patient underwent left frontal craniotomy and the surgical biopsy revealed a demyelinating process. The patient, however, had a poor response to steroid treatment and died two months later. The possible nature of demyelinating disease in this case is discussed.