Cerebral Gumma Mimicking Glioblastoma on Magnetic Resonance Images

<—Case Report—

Abstract

A 39-year-old female presented with a syphilitic cerebral gumma mimicking small glioblastoma multiforme manifesting as visual impairment. Magnetic resonance imaging showed a low signal intensity area on T, -weighted images and marked small ring-like enhancement less than 1 cm in diameter following the administration of gadolinium. The symptoms and radiological abnormalities improved several weeks after penicillin therapy. The small ring-like enhancement was probably caused by inflammation associated with treponemal infection. A mass with a small ring-like enhancement less than 1 cm in diameter is a useful finding indicating an inflammatory lesion rather than a glial tumor.