Olfactory and gustatory hallucinations presenting as partial status epilepticus because of glioblastoma multiforme

Ann Emerg Med. 2010 Oct;56(4):374-7. doi: 10.1016/j.annemergmed.2010.02.020. Epub 2010 Mar 20.

Abstract

Olfactory and gustatory hallucinations are not often encountered in the acute care setting but may represent the subtle presenting features of a significant underlying disease process. We describe a patient whose most striking presenting symptoms were of olfactory and gustatory hallucinations and in whom the diagnosis and treatment of a new brain tumor and partial status epilepticus occurred entirely in the emergency department. The lesion was subsequently identified as glioblastoma multiforme involving the hippocampus and amygdala.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Amygdala / pathology
  • Brain Neoplasms / complications*
  • Brain Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / complications*
  • Glioblastoma / diagnosis
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Hallucinations / etiology*
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Status Epilepticus / etiology*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed