Multifocal glioma of the brain. An autopsy case

T. Shimura, A. Hirano, S. Nakasu, J. F. Llena, N. E. Leeds

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

This is an autopsy case report of a 78 year old woman with multyifocal glioblastoma multiforme. CT scan revealed three separate mass lesions in the left temporal lobe, left parietal lobe and right fronto-parietal lobe. CT-guided needle biopsy of the right fronto-parietal mass revealed glioblastoma multiforme. At autopsy, serial horizontal sections of the brain confirmed the CT scan findings and demonstrated extension of the tumor in the left parietal lobe to the subarachnoid space. The lesion in the right fronto-parietal region infiltrated a large area and was not demarcated. Microscopic examination of all three lesions revealed glioblastoma multiforme. The left temporal lobe tumor consisted of gemistocyte astrocytes predominantly. Reaction of the tumor to glial fibrillary acid protein (GFAP) antibody ranged from markedly positive in the gemistocytic astrocytes to negative in the anaplastic cells. The reported incidence of multifocal glioma is about 2-10%. The main pathologic mechanisms invoked for this phenomenon are simultaneous neoplastic transformation and seeding from one tumor. The pathophysiology of this particular case is discussed in reference to the differences in the histopathology of the 3 separate foci of glioblastoma multiforme.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)97-101
Number of pages5
JournalNeurological Surgery
Volume14
Issue number1
StatePublished - 1986
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Clinical Neurology

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