Gliomatosis cerebri presenting as rapidly progressive dementia and parkinsonism in an elderly woman: a case report

• Main Authors: Duron Emmanuelle, Lazareth Anne, Gaubert Jean-Yves, Raso Carole, Hanon Olivier, Rigaud Anne-Sophie
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2008-02-01
• Series: Journal of Medical Case Reports
• Online Access: http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/2/1/53

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>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.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This atypical presentation of a gliomatosis cerebri, and the infiltration of the substantia nigra by the tumor, merits attention.</p>