Endobronchial metastasis of glioblastoma multiforme diagnosed by fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy

We report a case of extraneural metastasis of an intracranial glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) to the left upper lung, in which fiberoptic bronchoscopy played a key role in the diagnosis. The patient, a 20-year-old woman, presented with dry cough and hoarseness 2 years after total excision of the brain tumor and postoperative radiotherapy. Tissue samples obtained during fiberoptic bronchoscopic biopsy had the same morphologic appearance as the primary intracranial tumor, which was consistent with GBM. In cases of pulmonary metastasis of GBM, antemortem diagnosis is rare. Our experience from this case suggests that fiberoptic bronchoscopy may be a valuable diagnostic tool for metastatic GBM.