Leptomeningeal spinal spread of glioblastoma multiforme: report of two cases and review of the literature

RESUMO

Extracranial metastasis of glioblastoma multiforme (GMB) are extremely rare, developing clinically in less than 2 pert cent of case, but probably increasingas patients live longer. It has been reported from necropsic series that microscopic metastasis occur in approximately 6 pert cent and 60 pert cent of supratentorial and infratentorial glioblastomas respectively but patient usually die before they become symptomati. We report two patients with supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme who developed leptomeningeal seeding at the thoracolumbar region as part of their natural history. Clinical and radiographic features and the usefulness of magnetic resonance imaging and CSF fluid analysis is discussed as well as a brief review of the literature