Brain stem glioblastoma with multiple large cyst formation and leptomeningeal dissemination in a 4-year-old girl

• Published in: Brain & development (Tokyo. 1979) Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 58 - 61
• Main Authors: Kanai, Rie, Tasaka, Masaru, Sejima, Hitoshi, Uchida, Nobue, Nakano, Akinobu, Akiyama, Yasuhiko, Yamasaki, Toshiki, Yamaguchi, Seiji
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 2005
• Subjects: Arachnoid - pathology; Arachnoid Cysts - etiology; Arachnoid Cysts - pathology; Arachnoid Cysts - physiopathology; Brain - pathology; Brain Stem Neoplasms - complications; Brain Stem Neoplasms - pathology; Brain Stem Neoplasms - physiopathology; Brainstem neoplasm; Child, Preschool; Childhood; Cyst formation; Fatal Outcome; Female; Glioblastoma - complications; Glioblastoma - physiopathology; Glioblastoma - secondary; Humans; Hydrocephalus - etiology; Hydrocephalus - pathology; Hydrocephalus - physiopathology; Leptomeningeal dissemination; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Meningeal Neoplasms - secondary; Pia Mater - pathology; Spinal Cord - pathology; Subarachnoid Space - pathology; Subarachnoid Space - physiopathology; Cyst formation; Magnetic resonance imaging; Childhood; Brainstem neoplasm; Leptomeningeal dissemination
• ISSN: 0387-7604; 1872-7131
• DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2004.03.007

The authors report a 4-year-old girl who developed brain stem glioblastoma. Meningeal irritation was present at onset. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed intracranial and intraspinal leptomeningeal dissemination, which progressed faster than the original tumor. Multiple large cysts developed at the interhemispheric and prepontine cisterns, resulting in progressive obstructive hydrocephalus. The patient survived only 5 months after presentation. Histology was verified by autopsy.