Spontaneous Regression of a Primary Cerebral Tumor Following Vasospasm Caused by Subarachnoid Hemorrhage Due to Rupture of an Intracranial Aneurysm: Case Report

Abstract

A 40-year-old man demonstrated spontaneous regression of a malignant glioma following vasospasm caused by subarachnoid hemorrhage due to rupture of an intracranial aneurysm. The patient had been treated under a diagnosis of malignant glioma for 5 years. He presented with a ruptured aneurysm manifesting as subarachnoid hemorrhage. Single photon emission computed tomography with N-isopropyl-p-123I-iodoamphotamine and diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging revealed severe flow reduction due to vasospasm in the bilateral temporoparietal cortical regions, including the tumor. MR imaging performed 5 months later showed marked tumor regression. The present case suggests that treatment targeting angiogenesis of malignant gliomas may be effective as a part of multimodality treatment.