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October 2023; 13 (5) Review

Differential Diagnosis of Tumor-like Brain Lesions

Gina S. Perez Giraldo, Lauren Singer, Toni Cao, Pouya Jamshidi, Karan Dixit, Marinos Kontzialis, Rudolph Castellani, View ORCID ProfilePeter Pytel, Nidhiben Anadani, Carolyn J. Bevan, Elena Grebenciucova, Roumen Balabanov, Bruce A. Cohen, View ORCID ProfileEdith L. Graham
First published August 30, 2023, DOI: https://doi.org/10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200182
Gina S. Perez Giraldo
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Lauren Singer
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Toni Cao
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Pouya Jamshidi
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Karan Dixit
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Marinos Kontzialis
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Rudolph Castellani
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Peter Pytel
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Nidhiben Anadani
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Carolyn J. Bevan
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Elena Grebenciucova
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Roumen Balabanov
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Bruce A. Cohen
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Edith L. Graham
Departments of Neurology (GSPG, LS, TC, KD, CJB, EG, RB, BAC, ELG), Pathology (PJ, RC), and Radiology (MK), Northwestern University; Department of Pathology (PP), University of Chicago, IL; and Department of Neurology (NA), University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, OK.
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Full PDF
Citation
Differential Diagnosis of Tumor-like Brain Lesions
Gina S. Perez Giraldo, Lauren Singer, Toni Cao, Pouya Jamshidi, Karan Dixit, Marinos Kontzialis, Rudolph Castellani, Peter Pytel, Nidhiben Anadani, Carolyn J. Bevan, Elena Grebenciucova, Roumen Balabanov, Bruce A. Cohen, Edith L. Graham
Neurol Clin Pract Oct 2023, 13 (5) e200182; DOI: 10.1212/CPJ.0000000000200182

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Abstract

Purpose of Review Tumor-like brain lesions are rare and commonly suggest a neoplastic etiology. Failure to rapidly identify non-neoplastic causes can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. In this review, we describe 10 patients who presented with atypical, non-neoplastic tumor-like brain lesions in which brain biopsy was essential for a correct diagnosis and treatment.

Recent Findings There has been increasing recognition of autoimmune conditions affecting the nervous system, and many of those diseases can cause tumor-like brain lesions. Currently available reports of non-neoplastic tumor-like brain lesions are scarce. Most case series focus on tumefactive demyelinating lesions, and a comprehensive review including other neuroimmunological conditions such as CNS vasculitis, neurosarcoidosis, histiocytic and infectious etiologies is lacking.

Summary We review the literature on tumor-like brain lesions intending to increase the awareness and differential diagnosis of non-neoplastic brain tumor mimics. We advocate for earlier brain biopsies, which, in our case series, significantly changed diagnosis, management, and outcomes.

Footnotes

  • Funding information and disclosures are provided at the end of the article. Full disclosure form information provided by the authors is available with the full text of this article at Neurology.org/cp.

  • Submitted and externally peer reviewed. The handling editor was Associate Editor Jack W. Tsao, MD, DPhil, FAAN.

  • Editorial, page e200183

  • Received February 3, 2023.
  • Accepted June 12, 2023.
  • © 2023 American Academy of Neurology
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