Gliosarcoma in the Cerebellopontine Angle with Rapid Tumor Growth and Intratumoral Hemorrhage

Abstract

Background: Gliosarcoma is a relatively rare and bimorphous brain tumor, predominantly located in the brain lobe. Here, we report a rare case of gliosarcoma presenting radiologically in the cerebellopontine angle (CPA) region.

Case description: The patient was a 71-year-old woman with progressive tinnitus. A series of image examinations showed a rapidly growing CPA tumor, which enlarged from nonexistent to 4 cm in diameter with extension to the internal auditory canal in a short period of 6 months. The patient was operated on in emergency because of intratumoral hemorrhage and rapidly deteriorating neurologic symptoms. Under the diagnosis of gliosarcoma confirmed by pathologic examination, chemotherapy and radiotherapy were conducted after partial resection. The patient recovered uneventfully and the residual tumor disappeared nearly completely on the image taken 6 months later.

Conclusions: Although rare, gliosarcoma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CPA tumors, especially if it is associated with rapid tumor growth or intratumoral hemorrhage.

Keywords: Cerebellopontine angle tumor; Gliosarcoma.