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Glioblastoma NOS

Case contributed by Hani Makky Al Salam
Diagnosis possible

Presentation

Further assessment of known mass.

Patient Data

Age: 13 years
Gender: Female
ct

A VP shunt is in situ, and a left-sided subdural collection is present. Near the foramen of Munro, a mass with heterogeneous hyperdensity is present. 

mri

A well-circumscribed mass in the region of the foramen of Munro is present with central intrinsic high T1 signal and layering low T2 signal consistent with hemorrhage. It is well circumscribed. 

High T2 signal within the corpus callosum likely represents the sequela of hydrocephalus and compression against the falx rather than tumor infiltration. 

A right sided shunt is in situ. 

No subependymal nodules of parenchymal changes to suggest underlying tuberous sclerosis. 

Case Discussion

The patient went on to have surgery confirming an anaplastic astrocytic tumor. 

Histology

Neoplastic cells are positive for GFAP (polyclonal) and P53.

Ki-67 showed nuclear immunostaining in more than 20% of neoplastic cells.

CD-31 is positive in endothelial cells.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS: High-grade glioma consistent with glioblastoma.

Note: IDH mutation status is not provided in this case and according to the current (2016) WHO classification of CNS tumors, this tumor would, therefore, be designated as a glioblastoma NOS

Editorial note: Glioblastomas in this age-group and location, especially appearing so circumscribed, are rare. It is possible, for example, that this actually represents a diffuse midline glioma H3 K27M mutant rather than a glioblastoma. Remembering a saying popularized by Carl Sagan "Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence" this case requires additional corroborating evidence. Thus, despite some histological features being reported, the diagnostic certainty of this case has been downgraded to "possible". A complete histological and immunohistochemical report and preferably histological slides are required for the diagnostic certainty to reach "certain". 

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