Work

Autonomic seizures and hyperhidrosis due to glioblastoma in a middle-aged man: a case report

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hyperhidrosis is common. History, physical examination, and simple investigations are often sufficient to confirm the diagnosis. However, hyperhidrosis can result from focal autonomic seizures. Diagnosing focal autonomic seizures is challenging, and there is a high rate of misdiagnosis. CASE PRESENTATION: A 59-year-old Emirati man presented with intermittent sweating episodes and fatigue of 3 weeks duration. Initial differential diagnoses included poorly controlled diabetes, hyperthyroidism, and cardiac arrhythmia. A focal autonomic seizure was suspected after visits to five different specialities. A diagnosis of temporal glioblastoma was confirmed on an magnetic resonance imaging scan. The patient had surgical removal of the tumor, and his symptoms resolved after treatment with levetiracetam and dexamethasone. CONCLUSION: Hyperhidrosis is common and can be easy to treat. However, hyperhidrosis may be a manifestation of focal autonomic seizure resulting from life-threatening conditions such as glioblastoma. Clinicians need to have a high index of suspicion when managing patients with excessive recurrent sweating.

Source: Journal of Medical Case Reports

DOI: 10.1186/s13256-025-05375-z

Authors: Khulood Alnuaimi, Preethi Asapu, Rafeef Tahtamoni, Resshme Sudha, David O. Alao

Institutions: Tawam Hospital, United Arab Emirates University

Language: English

Topic: Sympathectomy and Hyperhidrosis Treatments

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,890