Intracranial dissemination of glioblastoma multiforme: a case report and literature review

Intracranial dissemination is rare among patients with glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Very few GBM patients develop symptoms from intracranial dissemination, as most do not surviving long enough for intracranial dissemination to become clinically evident. Herein, we report a case of GBM in a 39-year-old woman who underwent surgical resection, concomitant chemoradiotherapy, and seven courses of adjuvant chemotherapy with temozolomide. The patient then complained of an instable gait and hearing loss. Imaging studies demonstrated that although the primary intracranial tumors were well-controlled by treatment, contralateral cerebellopontine angle seeding dissemination was present. The patient died 3 months after the diagnosis of seeding dissemination. In light of a previous report and our current case, heightened awareness could promote surgical strategies that minimize the possibility of dissemination, including avoiding ventricular entry or a no-touch strategy.