A 44-year-old UK woman, experienced hallucinations and paranoia starting in her late 20s, leading to a misdiagnosis of schizophrenia for over a decade; the true cause, a grade 4 glioblastoma, was discovered only after a seizure prompted an MRI.

A 44-year-old woman from the UK, began experiencing hallucinations and paranoia starting in her late 20s. She was diagnosed with schizophrenia and hospitalised repeatedly, and her health concerns were often dismissed by her doctors, including her belief that she had a worm in her brain.[1]

The real cause of her symptoms, however, was not discovered until the final year of her life: a grade 4 glioblastoma.

The brain tumour—discovered when it was the size of a golf ball—had gone undetected for over a decade. The discovery came only after Rudden had a seizure, prompting an MRI scan. After undergoing surgery to remove most of the tumour, Rudden lived for another 10 months before passing away in October 2018.

The need for vigilance

“If only the scan had been done earlier, she might still be here,” the patient's sister shared with Daily Mail in December 2024.[1]

While glioblastomas are rare, their presentations can mimic psychiatric illnesses, as seen in this case. Hallucinations, paranoia, or other behavioural changes—often dismissed as mental illness—may warrant deeper exploration. This patient’s case can serve as a reminder about the importance of patient-centered care, where every symptom is taken seriously.

Early diagnosis can save lives and stories like Rudden’s can motivate us all to ask, “What might we be missing?”

Understanding glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common type of malignant brain tumour, known for its aggressive nature and poor prognosis.[2]

Advanced imaging techniques, including MRI, magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), are essential tools for differentiating glioblastoma from other potential diagnoses. For example, glioblastomas typically exhibit increased choline levels and decreased N-acetyl aspartate on MRS, signalling high metabolic activity consistent with malignancy. These imaging modalities can provide critical clues when conventional scans fail to reveal abnormalities or are misleading.[2]

A similar case study

Similar cases in medical literature highlight the risks of relying on incomplete diagnostic workups. For example, another patient with glioblastoma was initially misdiagnosed with parasitic infection due to their dietary history and misleading imaging results, according to a case study published in Frontiers in Neurology.[2] Only after advanced imaging and surgery was the true diagnosis revealed.

The medical community must strive for a multidisciplinary approach in challenging cases such as these. When symptoms persist or evolve, revisiting the diagnosis with a fresh perspective can make all the difference.

Behind every case is a life full of potential, waiting for the right answers. As we push for improved research and diagnostics, let Rudden’s story inspire a renewed commitment to uncovering the truth for every patient, no matter how elusive it may seem.

Disclaimer: This story is contributed by MDLinx staff and is a part of our Global Content Initiative, where we feature selected stories from our Global network which we believe would be most useful and informative to our doctor members.