Glioblastoma mimicking Chronic Lymphocytic Inflammation with Pontine Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids (CLIPPERS) syndrome – case Report

Abstract

Non-specific focal lesions in the central nervous system pose diagnostic and therapeutic challenges. Moreover, the prognosis, depending on the lesion etiology, can be extremely varied from mild and potentially curable to extremely severe and untreatable lesions. Interestingly, due to the lack of a definitive diagnosis, the patient frequently remains in observation until the disease progresses. This case study presents a patient in whom the radiological image of a non-specific brainstem lesion was consistent with glioblastoma mimicking Chronic Lymphocytic Inflammation with Pontine Perivascular Enhancement Responsive to Steroids syndrome (CLIPPERS). Radiologically compatible CLIPPERS may conceal a number of different pathologies. Reports of CLIPPERS mimickers highlight the importance of considering alternative diagnoses in patients presenting with the CLIPPERS phenotype. The clinical and radiologic presentation of glioblastoma with features mimicking CLIPPERS are described.