Intracranial glioblastoma with drop metastases to the spine after stereotactic biopsy

J Neurol Surg A Cent Eur Neurosurg. 2013 Dec:74 Suppl 1:e221-4. doi: 10.1055/s-0033-1345685. Epub 2013 Jun 26.

Abstract

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary intracranial tumor, but metastases are rarely reported. Previous reports have documented the occurrence of drop metastases to the spine. However, few of these reports have demonstrated the occurrence of spinal metastases after biopsy with stable intracranial disease. Here we present such a case.

Case description: We present a case of GBM metastatic to the spinal cord after a stereotactic biopsy with stable intracranial disease. To our knowledge, this occurrence has only been reported in one previous case.

Conclusion: We propose that traversing the lateral ventricle at the time of biopsy contributed to cerebrospinal fluid seeding with tumor cells and subsequent development of spinal disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Biopsy / adverse effects*
  • Brain Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Chemoradiotherapy
  • Confusion / etiology
  • Glioblastoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Seeding
  • Spinal Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Stereotaxic Techniques