Meeting abstract

https://doi.org/10.24869/spsih.2026.338

Symptoms of Depressive Disorder as the Initial Presentation of a Malignant Brain Tumor

Ena Žderić ; Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia *
Gordana Rubeša ; Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Tatjana Ružić ; Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Alen Mančić ; Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia; Faculty of Medicine in Rijeka, University of Rijeka, Braće Branchetta 20, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia
Dora Polić ; Clinical Hospital Centre Rijeka, Krešimirova 42, 51000 Rijeka, Croatia

* Corresponding author.

Abstract

Case report of a 71‑year‑old female patient who
was initially evaluated at the emergency department
due to confusion and incontinence for the
preceding two days, and gait disturbance over
the previous three weeks. According to collateral
history, one month before symptom onset, the
patient had experienced two deaths of close family
members. Since then, she had been gradually
less mobile, spending her days in bed. She was in
a low mood and appeared confused to her family.
Laboratory findings and other diagnostic tests
(including a brain CT scan) were unremarkable.
She was referred for a neurological examination
and subsequently for a psychiatric evaluation. After
the workup, she was hospitalized at the Clinic
of Psychiatry, as there were no clear neurological
deficits. After three weeks of treatment, her mental
and physical condition remained unchanged, so she was referred for prolonged treatment to
another institution. Two weeks later, she was
again brought by emergency medical services to
the emergency department, this time because of
right‑sided hemiparesis and impaired consciousness.
CNS infection was ruled out, and brain CT
showed frontal white matter edema. She was admitted
to the Clinic of Neurology, where over the
next month of hospitalization there was progression
of the disorder of consciousness and of her
physical and neurological status. A brain biopsy
was performed, and histopathological examination
confirmed a glial tumor. Due to the patient’s
poor general condition, oncological treatment
was not indicated, and she was assigned to palliative
care. Ultimately, she was discharged to a
hospice, where she soon passed away.

Keywords

depression; confusion; brain tumor

Hrčak ID:

353109

URI

https://hrcak.srce.hr/353109

Publication date:

15.6.2026.

Article data in other languages: croatian

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