Anaplastic astrocytoma masquerading as hemorrhagic stroke

Abstract

Although primary and metastatic brain tumors can cause intracranial hemorrhage, thalamic hemorrhage as the first presentation of an anaplastic astrocytoma has not been reported. We report a 47-year-old man who first presented with hypertensive hemorrhagic stroke. He improved with aggressive blood pressure control and recovered with minimal residual deficit within 10days. This led to the initial misdiagnosis of uncontrolled hypertension as the cause of the stroke. He deteriorated rapidly 4months later. A biopsy revealed an anaplastic astrocytoma. Misdiagnosis of tumor as stroke can occur in patients with vascular risk factors who do not have a previous history of neoplasia. Our case report is to heighten the awareness of the incidence of tumor apoplexy masquerading as stroke.