Cystic Glioblastoma: A Mimicker of Infection? A Case Report and Literature Review

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most frequent malignant and aggressive type of glioma. Most cases of GBM present as a single solitary solid tumor; however, there are rare instances in which it may present as a cystic lesion. Here, we report an even rarer case of GBM presenting as bilateral multicystic lesions, mimicking infectious etiology. Our case highlights the importance of identifying clinical features of cystic GBM to ensure early diagnosis and treatment. A literature review was conducted in PubMed, looking at the common characteristics and treatment options for cystic GBM.

[1]  W. Tognola,et al.  Transtentorial spread of glioblastoma multiforme to cerebellopontine angle – A rare case report , 2022, Surgical neurology international.

[2]  A. Laquérriere,et al.  Diagnosis and Management of Glioblastoma: A Comprehensive Perspective , 2021, Journal of personalized medicine.

[3]  J. Barnholtz-Sloan,et al.  CBTRUS Statistical Report: Primary Brain and Other Central Nervous System Tumors Diagnosed in the United States in 2013-2017. , 2020, Neuro-oncology.

[4]  T. Tominaga,et al.  Cystic Glioblastoma Rupturing into the Ventricle , 2019, NMC case report journal.

[5]  P. Wen,et al.  Neoadjuvant anti-PD-1 immunotherapy promotes a survival benefit with intratumoral and systemic immune responses in recurrent glioblastoma , 2018, Nature Medicine.

[6]  J. Pimentel,et al.  Cerebellar cystic glioblastomas: An uncommon presentation of a rare disease and clinical review , 2018, eNeurologicalSci.

[7]  Duna H. Barakeh,et al.  Immunogenetics of glioblastoma: the future of personalized patient management , 2018, npj Precision Oncology.

[8]  Ximena Arcila-londono,et al.  Atypical Presentation of Glioblastoma Multiforme , 2018, European journal of case reports in internal medicine.

[9]  A. Avan,et al.  The prognostic value of MGMT promoter methylation in glioblastoma: A meta‐analysis of clinical trials , 2018, Journal of cellular physiology.

[10]  D. Osoba,et al.  Short‐Course Radiation plus Temozolomide in Elderly Patients with Glioblastoma , 2017, The New England journal of medicine.

[11]  Kimberly B. Ulett,et al.  Cerebral cryptococcoma mimicking glioblastoma , 2017, BMJ Case Reports.

[12]  Kahkashan Perveen,et al.  Glioblastoma Multiforme: A Review of its Epidemiology and Pathogenesis through Clinical Presentation and Treatment , 2017, Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP.

[13]  S. Zhang,et al.  Rapid progression of glioblastoma multiforme: A case report. , 2016, Oncology letters.

[14]  B. Luo,et al.  Glioblastoma masquerading as herpes simplex encephalitis. , 2015, Journal of the Formosan Medical Association = Taiwan yi zhi.

[15]  Mahboob Hasan,et al.  Cystic glioblastoma multiforme masquerading as a cerebral tuberculoma , 2014, BMJ Case Reports.

[16]  Jill S. Barnholtz-Sloan,et al.  Epidemiologic and Molecular Prognostic Review of Glioblastoma , 2014, Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

[17]  Matthias A. Karajannis,et al.  Glioblastoma multiforme: State of the art and future therapeutics , 2014, Surgical neurology international.

[18]  Sushil Kumar,et al.  Bilateral cystic glioblastoma multiforme , 2013, Journal of neurosciences in rural practice.

[19]  M. Mrugala,et al.  Advances and challenges in the treatment of glioblastoma: a clinician's perspective. , 2013, Discovery medicine.

[20]  K. Prabhash,et al.  A systematic approach to diagnosis of cystic brain lesions , 2013, South Asian journal of cancer.

[21]  M. Hegi,et al.  A safety run‐in and randomized phase 2 study of cilengitide combined with chemoradiation for newly diagnosed glioblastoma (NABTT 0306) , 2012, Cancer.

[22]  D. Silbergeld,et al.  Extended Survival of Glioblastoma Patients After Chemoprotective HSC Gene Therapy , 2012, Science Translational Medicine.

[23]  M. Joo,et al.  Large Cystic Glioblastoma Multiforme , 2013, Clinical Neuroradiology.

[24]  A. Friedman,et al.  An epidermal growth factor receptor variant III–targeted vaccine is safe and immunogenic in patients with glioblastoma multiforme , 2009, Molecular Cancer Therapeutics.

[25]  T. Batchelor,et al.  Cediranib: profile of a novel anti-angiogenic agent in patients with glioblastoma , 2009, Expert opinion on investigational drugs.

[26]  R. Mirimanoff,et al.  Effects of radiotherapy with concomitant and adjuvant temozolomide versus radiotherapy alone on survival in glioblastoma in a randomised phase III study: 5-year analysis of the EORTC-NCIC trial. , 2009, The Lancet. Oncology.

[27]  Margaret Wrensch,et al.  Epidemiology of brain tumors. , 2007, Neurologic clinics.

[28]  S. Madhusoodanan,et al.  Psychiatric manifestations of brain tumors: diagnostic implications , 2007, Expert review of neurotherapeutics.

[29]  A. Kaufmann,et al.  Glioblastoma , 2006, Neurology.

[30]  M. Maschke,et al.  Basal ganglia infarction mimicking glioblastoma. , 2005, European journal of medical research.

[31]  R. Mirimanoff,et al.  MGMT gene silencing and benefit from temozolomide in glioblastoma. , 2005, The New England journal of medicine.

[32]  P. Kleihues,et al.  Epidemiology and etiology of gliomas , 2005, Acta Neuropathologica.

[33]  E. Neuen‐Jacob,et al.  Intracerebral neurocysticercosis mimicking glioblastoma multiforme: a rare differential diagnosis in Central Europe , 2001, Neuroradiology.

[34]  P. Davidson Headaches in patients with brain tumors: A study of 111 patients , 1994 .