To report a rare case of glioblastoma presenting exclusively as leptomeningeal disease without a dominant parenchymal lesion, highlighting its clinical significance.
Key Findings:
Leptomeningeal disease as the sole presentation of glioblastoma is extremely rare, necessitating awareness among clinicians.
The patient exhibited significant neurological dysfunction with a Karnofsky Performance Score of 30, indicating severe impairment.
CSF analysis indicated acellular fluid with elevated protein and lactate, but cytology was inconclusive, complicating diagnosis.
Interpretation:
This case highlights the atypical presentation of glioblastoma as primary leptomeningeal disease, emphasizing the need for awareness of such presentations in clinical practice to improve diagnosis and management.
Limitations:
The case is singular and may not represent the broader population of glioblastoma patients, limiting generalizability.
Lack of extensive literature on primary leptomeningeal glioblastoma limits understanding and treatment options.
Conclusion:
Primary diffuse leptomeningeal glioblastoma is a rare entity that can present without a dominant parenchymal lesion, necessitating further research to understand its pathophysiology and management strategies.
by Mark Willy L. Mondia, Rebekka E. Hooks, Georgios A. Maragkos, Vanessa L. Smith, Matthew R. McCord, Joseph H. Donahue, Eli S. Williams, M. Beatriz Lopes, David Schiff, Ashok R. Asthagiri
