[Gliomatosis cerebri: evolution to glioblastoma multiforme]

Abstract

Introduction: Gliomatosis cerebri is a neoplastic disorder characterized by diffuse infiltration of glial cells with relative conservation of the underlying structures. Seizures, headache and behavior disorders are generally the initial manifestations.

Clinical case: A 38 year-old male who had complex partial seizures and behavior disorder of three months' evolution. The brain magnetic resonance imaging showed hyperintense lesions in T2 suggestive of gliomatosis cerebri, this being confirmed with the brain biopsy. Several months later, he suffered rapid clinical deterioration, observing the development of a glioblastoma multiforme over the lesion.

Conclusions: In spite of its rareness, gliomatosis cerebri should be taken into account in the differential diagnoses of diffuse infiltrative lesions of the white matter. Rapid evolution clinical deterioration and the appearance of focal lesions that capture contrast should make us suspect a transformation to lesions of greater malignancy.