Case Report: Maternal death due to frontal lobe meningioma mimicking postpartum depression

Abstract

Meningiomas are among the most frequent primary brain tumors. Meningiomas can present with psychiatric manifestations such as depression in the absence of any neurological signs and symptoms. This case illustrates a rare and fatal complication of frontal lobe meningioma that finally mimicked postpartum depression in a woman who relied on non-professional sources of help and died without proper diagnosis and treatment. The case reported here highlights the significance of considering frontal lobe meningioma as a possible cause of psychiatric symptoms in postpartum women and recommends performing a thorough neurological examination and neuroimaging if necessary. Clinicians should be aware of this possibility and perform neuroimaging studies in patients with postpartum depression who have atypical features such as persistent headaches. Overall, this paper emphasizes the significance of early diagnosis and intervention of frontal lobe meningiomas to improve patient outcomes and prevent fatal complications.