Glioblastoma Multiforme Mimicking Mixed Primary Progressive Aphasia: A Case Report

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common malignant primary central nervous system tumor with rapid progression and poor prognosis. In addition to focal neurologic deficits, headache, seizures, and cognitive impairment might be seen in patients with GBM. Here, we present a 72-year-old-woman who had aphasia and forgetfulness, and normal brain MRI scanned three months earlier. A hypermetabolic lesion was shown in the left temporal lobe on her brain fluorodeoxyglucose Positron Emission Tomography (FDG-PET/CT) imaging which was performed for the differential diagnosis of primary progressive aphasia (PPA). A repeat MRI examination confirmed the presence of a mass lesion. The mass lesion was surgically resected and histopathological diagnosis was GBM. We emphasize that brain tumor should be considered in the differential diagnosis of rapidly progressive PPA. (Arc-hi-ves of Neu-ropsy-chi-atry 2012; 49: 228-230)