Primary Glioblastoma of Cerebellopontine Angle in Adult Mimicking Acoustic Neuroma

World Neurosurg. 2019 Feb:122:48-52. doi: 10.1016/j.wneu.2018.10.073. Epub 2018 Oct 19.

Abstract

Background: Gliomas are usually located in the supratentorial region and are extremely rare at the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). Consequently, gliomas in the CPA are easy to misdiagnose preoperatively.

Case description: This paper presents a 55-year-old man with an extraaxial CPA glioblastoma arising from the proximal portion of cranial nerve (CN) VIII. Preoperative imaging findings suggested an acoustic neuroma. The tumor was removed subtotally, and it was completely separated from the brainstem and cerebellum. The histopathologic examination showed a glioblastoma.

Conclusions: To our knowledge, this case is the second report of a true primary extraaxial CPA glioblastoma. Therefore glioma should be considered in the differential diagnosis of CPA masses with atypical imaging features, although they are extremely rare.

Keywords: Cerebellopontine angle; Cranial nerve VIII; Diagnosis; Glioblastoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / pathology
  • Cerebellar Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Cerebellopontine Angle*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fatal Outcome
  • Glioblastoma / diagnosis*
  • Glioblastoma / pathology
  • Glioblastoma / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuroma, Acoustic / diagnosis
  • Pneumonia, Aspiration