Spinal leptomeningeal metastasis from cerebral glioblastoma multiforme presenting with radicular pain - Case report and literature review

BACKGROUND We present a case of spinal leptomeningeal metastasis from an in tracranial glioblastoma multiforme that presented with radicular pain. CASE DESCRIPTION A 55-year-old man with a previously treated supratentorial glioblastoma multiforme presented with a 12-month history of thoracic radi cular pain. MRI of the thoracic spine demonstrated an intradural extramedul lary metastatic tumor deposit at the levels of T8-T10. External beam radiot herapy to the thoracic spine provided a minimal decrease in the intensity o f the radicular pain. The lack of appreciation of the metastatic potential of the primary intracranial tumor resulted in delayed diagnosis and treatme nt. CONCLUSION Spinal leptomeningeal metastasis needs to be suspected in patien ts with a past history of intracranial glioblastoma multiforme, who present with the clinical features of radiculopathy or myelopathy. Awareness of th is condition will facilitate appropriate intervention. (C) 2001 by Elsevier Science Inc.