Background: Transient focal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities after status epilepticus (SE) are rarely seen in patients with benign brain tumors, and the underlying mechanism is still unknown. We report a rare case of cerebral cavernous malformation with transient focal MRI abnormalities around the tumor and accumulation of 11C-methionine on positron emission tomography (PET) after SE. These findings mimicked those of a glioma because the MRI and methionine PET findings were similar. We also speculate about the cause of this phenomenon in relation to pathologic findings of this case.
Case description: A 51-year-old man suffered from SE. MRI demonstrated a focal T2/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery hyperintense area. 11C-methionine PET showed high accumulation of methionine in the same lesion. The initial diagnosis was low-grade glioma. However, these MRI abnormalities were transient and completely resolved. The patient underwent surgical removal of the tumor, and the histologic diagnosis was typical cavernous malformation. Pathologic findings of the gyrus around the tumor revealed mild gliosis with proliferating astrocytes but no evidence of glioma.
Conclusions: This case suggests that transient focal MRI abnormalities after SE may indicate reversible cortical brain edema. Accumulation of 11C-methionine on PET could occur in the corresponding lesion even if no malignant tumor is present. Because distinguishing transient MRI abnormalities after SE from a glioma is difficult, repeated imaging studies should be performed in patients with brain tumor-related seizures.
Keywords: 11C-methionine PET; Cerebral cavernous malformation; Status epilepticus; Transient focal MRI abnormalities.
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