Glioblastoma masquerading as a
cystic brain lesion: A case report and evidence-based review.
Int J Surg Case Rep 2023;
106:108277. [PMID:
37137173 PMCID:
PMC10176152 DOI:
10.1016/j.ijscr.2023.108277]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE
In adults, glioblastomas account for approximately 12-15 % of primary intracranial neoplasms. In current standard-of-care treatment, glioblastomas have a 5-year survival rate of ~7.5 % and a median survival of ~15 months. Glioblastoma exhibits a highly variable imaging appearance, but the thick and irregular ring enhancement surrounding a necrotic core with infiltrative growth is the most prevalent imaging pattern. Glioblastoma with a cystic component (also known as cystic glioblastoma) is a rare presentation that can be misleading and often mistaken for other cystic brain lesions.
CASE PRESENTATION
In this report, we present a case of a 43-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department with a 2-month history of progressive neurologic manifestations that was attributed to a right-sided cystic brain lesion detected on routine imaging studies, which was later characterized as a cystic glioblastoma based on specific imaging and molecular studies.
CLINICAL DISCUSSION
We highlight the importance of combining radiological and molecular modalities with clinical suspicion for a better characterization of cystic brain lesions and including glioblastoma in the list of potential diagnoses. Furthermore, we provide a comprehensive, evidence-based review of the entity of cystic glioblastoma and how the existence of the cystic component might affect the management and the overall prognosis.
CONCLUSION
Several characteristics make cystic glioblastoma unique. However, it is also capable of mimicking other benign cystic brain lesions, delaying definitive diagnosis and hence the most appropriate management plan.
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