Cystic Glioblastoma Rupturing into the Ventricle

Cystic tumors, such as craniopharyngiomas and Rathke's cleft cysts, as well as arachnoid cysts have been reported to rupture occasionally. Approximately 8-10% of glioblastomas (GBMs) are known to have a significant cystic component; however, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have reported cystic rupturing of GBMs. Here, we describe a unique case of cystic GBM rupturing and penetrating into the cerebral ventricle. A 77-year-old man with a right frontal lobe lesion suspected as GBM with a large cyst was referred to our hospital. At admission, disorientation and left facial weakness were detected. Consciousness disturbance worsened on the 8th day of hospitalization. Computed tomography (CT) revealed prominent shrinkage of the tumor and intratumoral cyst. Signs of meningeal irritation were observed, and chemical meningitis due to cystic tumor rupture and leakage of necrotic components into the ventricle was highly suspected. Surgical resection of the right frontal lobe tumor was performed on the 10th day of hospitalization. During the surgery, clear and colorless cerebrospinal fluid was obtained upon penetration of the tumoral cyst, suggesting traffic of tumor cysts and cerebral ventricle. Adjuvant chemoradiation therapy was initiated postoperatively. Local recurrence was noted at the corpus callosum 7 months postoperatively and was treated with a gamma knife. Further therapy was performed after this recurrence. However, his condition gradually deteriorated 15 months postoperatively, and he was subjected to terminal care. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on a cystic GBM rupture.