Glioblastoma multiforme at internal auditory canal

BACKGROUND: Glioblastomas are the most common adult primary brain tumor present supratentorially. The presence of true extra-axial GBM infratentorially, especially in the internal auditory canal, is extremely rare with only three cases reported previously in the literature. We report the fourth case of primary internal auditory canal/cerebellopontine angle (CPA) glioblastoma which initially mimicked vestibular schwannoma on the basis of its location and presentation. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 65-year-old male presented with headache, vertigo, and progressive right ear deafness for 5 months. His preoperative magnetic resonance imaging findings were consistent with vestibular schwannoma. Maximum safe resection (near total) was done. The final histopathology report showed glioblastoma multiforme. CONCLUSION: As per our knowledge, this is the fourth reported case of an extra-axial VIII cranial nerve glioblastoma located in internal auditory canal. Hence, despite being very rare, they should be considered as a differential in tumors at CPA.