Extracerebrospinal metastases in glioblastoma. Case report and review of the literature.

A malignant glioblastoma adherent to the dura mater was removed from the parieto-occipital lobe in a 12-year-old boy. The site of the tumor was subsequently irridiated by 4000 rads of Cobalt-60. Five months later the boy was readmitted complaining of pains in the pelvis an in both thighs. X-ray examination of the pelvis demonstrated multiple metastases. Investigation of bone marrow revealed replacement of normal haematopoiesis by a tumor cell population histologically identical to that of the brain tumor. Reviewing the literature 58 reports on glioblastomas with extracerebrospinal metastases could be found. Metastases were preferably localized in cervical or mediastinal lymph nodes, lungs, bones, liver, dura mater, and operative flap. It is suggested that extracerebrospinal metastases occur most frequently after the tumor has infiltrated the cranium and extracranial soft tissues. In the case reported here it is speculated that the tumor spread to extraneural tissues after invading the dural veins. The possible occurrence of extracerebrospinal metastases in glioblastoma emphasizes the necessity of additional chemotherapy.