Huge intracranial meningioma mimicking alzheimer dementia

Abstract

Secondary dementia can present as a slow progression of clinical symptoms that mimic Alzheimer dementia. We report on a 73-year-old female presenting with slow, progressive memory impairment, caused by intracranial tumors, which mimicked Alzheimer dementia. A neurological examination revealed no focal deficit, but an extensive neuropsychological evaluation showed a decrease in attention and language, as well as in visuospatial, memory and executive functions, which typically present in Alzheimer dementia. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed 2 large brain tumors: a midline meningioma on the anterior frontal fossa and a right latero-temporal bone tumor. Investigative imaging was essential for diagnosis.