Frontal Lobe Meningioma Masquerading as Depressive Illness—A Confusing Coincidence: A Report of Two Cases

Symptoms manifested by patients harboring brain tumors vary. Although depression, in the form of frontal lobe syndrome, may be present in patients with frontal lobe neoplasms, these tumors may be missed when there are circumstances relating to grief, especially in the absence of a focal neurological deficit. We present two cases of frontal lobe meningioma initially misdiagnosed as depressive illness. Both patients presented with psychiatric symptoms, including low mood and social withdrawal, which coincided with the loss of husband and separation from husband, respectively. These symptoms improved significantly after surgical excision of the tumors. These cases highlighted the importance of considering organic causes in patients presenting with psychiatric symptoms, particularly when treatment response is inadequate.