Peri-ictal pseudoprogression in patients with brain tumor

Neuro Oncol. 2011 Jul;13(7):775-82. doi: 10.1093/neuonc/nor082.

Abstract

Recent advances in the treatment of malignant gliomas have highlighted the fact that the appearance of new contrast-enhancing lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is not always indicative of tumor recurrence. It has been suggested that transient seizure-related MRI changes could mimic disease progression (peri-ictal pseudoprogression [PIPG]). However, the clinical and MRI features associated with this situation have not been well described. Here, we consulted the databases of 6 institutions to identify patients with brain tumor who presented during the follow-up period transient MRI lesions wrongly suggesting tumor progression in a context of epileptic seizures. Ten patients were identified. All patients but 1 were long-term survivors who had initially been treated with radiotherapy. The PIPG episode occurred after a median interval of 11 years after radiotherapy. MRI features were highly similar across patients and consisted of transient focal cortical and/or leptomeningeal enhancing lesions that erroneously suggested tumor progression. All patients improved after adjustment of their antiepileptic drugs and transient oral corticosteroids, and MRI findings were normalized 3 months after the PIPG episode. Two patients demonstrated several seizure relapses with the same clinicoradiological pattern. After a median follow-up period of 3.5 years after the initial PIPG episode, only 1 patient presented with a tumor recurrence. In conclusion, in patients with brain tumor, especially in long-term survivors of radiotherapy, the appearance of new cortical and/or leptomeningeal contrast-enhancing lesions in a context of frequent seizures should raise the suspicion of PIPG. This phenomenon is important to recognize in order to avoid futile therapeutic escalation.

Publication types

  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Brain Neoplasms / mortality
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Brain Neoplasms / radiotherapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Glioma / mortality
  • Glioma / pathology*
  • Glioma / radiotherapy
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Seizures / drug therapy
  • Seizures / etiology
  • Survival Rate
  • Survivors*
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants