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A case of gliosarcoma appearing as ischaemic stroke
  1. S Züchner1,2,
  2. W Kawohl3,
  3. B Sellhaus2,
  4. M Mull4,
  5. L Mayfrank5,
  6. C M Kosinski1
  1. 1Department of Neurology, Aachen University Hospital, Aachen, Germany
  2. 2Department of Neuropathology, Aachen University Hospital
  3. 3Department of Psychiatry, Aachen University Hospital
  4. 4Department of Neuroradiology, Aachen University Hospital
  5. 5Department of Neurosurgery, Aachen University Hospital
  1. Correspondence to:
 Dr S Züchner, Department of Neuropathology, University Hospital of Aachen, Pauwelsstrasse 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany;
 stephan.zuechner{at}post.rwth-aachen.de

Abstract

Objectives: Ischaemic stroke attributable to malignant brain tumour is a rarely reported phenomenon and even various imaging techniques including angiography do not necessarily lead to an accurate diagnosis.

Case description: A 46 year old, previously healthy man developed apoplectic symptoms with slight right sided hemiparesis and global aphasia. The computed tomography (CT) scan showed lesions of the left temporal lobe and the paraventricular white matter suggestive of left middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction. Carotid angiography demonstrated compression of the M1 segment of the MCA and occlusion of temporal MCA. The patient initially refused magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) because of claustrophobia. Because of fluctuating symptoms and successive worsening of the condition over weeks an MRI scan was conducted under general anaesthesia. Beneath temporal, opercular, and subcortical infarctions it revealed a left temporal tumour. A tumour biopsy disclosed a gliosarcoma (WHO grade IV). Microscopical examination of the surgical specimen demonstrated invasion of tumour cells into the wall of a greater pre-existing blood vessel.

Conclusions: Malignant brain tumours may cause ischaemic infarction. This is a rare but important differential diagnosis for the origin of strokes. The authors describe the first case with infiltration of intracranial blood vessels by tumour cells of a gliosarcoma.

  • cerebral infarction
  • gliosarcoma
  • cerebral angiography
  • MRI, magnetic resonance imaging
  • CT, computed tomography
  • MCA, middle cerebral artery

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Footnotes

  • Competing interests: none declared.