Primary spinal glioblastoma: A case report and review of the literature
Open Access
- 14 December 2012
- journal article
- review article
- Published by Spandidos Publications in Oncology Letters
- Vol. 5 (3), 992-996
- https://doi.org/10.3892/ol.2012.1076
Abstract
Primary spinal glioblastoma (GBM) is a rare disease, with an aggressive course and a poor prognosis. We report a case of a 19-year-old male with a 4-week history of progressive weakness in both lower limbs, which progressed to paraparesis with a left predominance and difficulty in initiating urination over a week. Spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an intramedullary expansile mass localised between T6 and T11. We performed a laminotomy and laminoplasty between T6 and T11 and the tumour was partially removed. Histopathological study was compatible with GBM. The patient was administered focal spine radiotherapy with chemotherapy with temozolamide. Serial MRI performed after the initial surgery demonstrated enlargement of the enhancing mass from T3 to T12 and subarachnoid metastatic deposits in C2 and C4, the pituitary stalk, interpeduncular cistern, left superior cerebellar peduncle and hydrocephalus. We review the literature with regard to the disease and treatment options, and report the unique features of this case. Primary spinal GBM is an extremely rare entity with a poor prognosis and a short survival time. An aggressive management of the different complications as they arise and improvement of current modes of treatment and new treatment options are required to improve survival and ensure better quality of life.Keywords
This publication has 24 references indexed in Scilit:
- Spinal glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with holocordal and intracranial spread in a child: a case report and review of the literatureThe Spine Journal, 2012
- Glioblastoma multiforme of the conus medullaris with holocordal spreadJournal of Clinical Neuroscience, 2008
- Spinal cord malignant astrocytomasCancer, 2003
- The role of radiotherapy in the management of spinal cord gliomaInternational Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 1995
- Spinal Cord Glioblastoma Multiforme with Intracranial DisseminationNeurologia medico-chirurgica, 1990
- Malignant astrocytomas of the spinal cordJournal of Neurosurgery, 1989
- Giant-cell glioblastoma of the thoracic cordActa Neurochirurgica, 1981
- Long-term results of the surgical treatment of 129 intramedullary spinal gliomasJournal of Neurosurgery, 1981
- THE SUBARACHNOID DISSEMINATION OF SPINAL TUMOURSJournal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry, 1946
- DISSEMINATION OF A GLIOMA OF THE SPINAL CORD IN THE LEPTOMENINGESBrain, 1938