Frontal lobe meningioma mimicking preeclampsia: A case study

Abstract

We report a case of a left frontal lobe meningioma presenting in a woman with proteinuric preeclampsia in her first term pregnancy. The patient had a background of antepartum migraines that resolved in the second trimester of pregnancy. Postpartum, she required urgent surgery and sustained convulsions after surgery. She had no residual disease and has had another successful pregnancy. This case highlights the importance of cerebral imaging in the context of an atypical clinical course of preeclampsia. Although headaches are common in pregnancy and usually benign, other, more serious, diagnoses should be considered with atypical headaches, a change in the nature of the headache, and headaches that persist despite appropriate treatment. A full neurological examination including fundoscopy to exclude papilloedema should be performed and abnormal findings require further investigation.

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

“…It is well-established that headaches, nausea, visual disturbances, and focal deficits, are signs of intracranial tumors or lesions. 1,15 But initial symptoms such as headache, nausea as in our case could be subtle, or even could be attributed to other conditions and may warrant a heightened sense of awareness on the part of the clinician. A review of the literature also revealed a patient with meningioma who initially presented with nausea and severe headaches, which were initially attributed to preeclampsia.…”

“…A review of the literature also revealed a patient with meningioma who initially presented with nausea and severe headaches, which were initially attributed to preeclampsia. 15 Our patient had occasional nausea and headaches, which could have justified a neuroimaging study, but it was not performed. These somatic symptoms can be associated with depression and thus can be misleading.…”

“…14 Early signs and symptoms of intracranial meningioma can be confused with hyperemesis gravidarum in early pregnancy, preeclampsia in late pregnancy or even postpartum depression or psychosis after delivery. 4,5,[13][14][15][16][17] Psychiatric symptoms are frequently observed in patients with brain tumors or lesions. Studies have shown that the incidence of psychiatric presentations in individuals with brain tumors ranges from 50% to 78%.…”