Document Type

Article

Department

Medical College Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Symptomatic spinal metastasis from an intracranial primary
glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is very rare. Our literature search identified a total
of 42 such patients of which 11 were treated with surgical decompression for spinal metastasis with only one such report from the pediatric age group. Previous studies have reported variable outcomes after surgical management.


Case Description: We report the case of a 16‑year‑old boy who underwent
surgical spinal decompression for spinal metastasis after intracranial GBM. The
patient regained motor and autonomic function following surgery and reported
improvement in pain. We also present findings from a literature review using the
PubMed database from 1985 to June 2013 on this subject and compare radiation therapy with surgical decompression as palliative modalities in such patients.


Conclusion: There are no evidence‑based guidelines available on the subject
and no treatment regimen has yet demonstrated survival benefit in these patients. Surgical decompression may be a better option for patients with focal resectable lesions and who are medically stable to tolerate the procedure

Publication (Name of Journal)

Surgical Neurology International

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