Giant cell glioblastoma in a child: A rare case report
A 10-year-old male child presented with recent onset headache and vomiting. On examination, the child was conscious and had no localizing signs. A contrast-enhanced CT scan was performed which showed an ill-defined intra axial mass in left parietal region with significant surrounding edema causing mass effect and midline shift to the right side. A contrast-enhanced MRI was performed to further evaluate the lesion. The MRI showed a large intra axial mass lesion in left parietal region with cystic and necrotic components with perifocal edema. The mass was heterogenous and hypointense on TI-weighted images and hyperintense on T2-weighted images. On administration of gadolinium as contrast, the solid portions of the lesion showed intense contrast enhancement. A preoperative diagnosis of high-grade glioma was made and the patient was taken up for surgery. Intraoperatively, the lesion was ill-defined, highly vascular with solid and cystic components. Complete removal of the tumor was done. Histopathological study of the tumor revealed numerous giant cells, numerous and atypical mitoses were seen along with the usual features of glioblastoma. The overall picture was suggestive of GCG. An MRI was performed in the postoperative period and showed complete excision of the tumor. The patient recovered from the surgery and underwent radiotherapy. The last follow-up was at 8 months and there are no clinical or radiological signs of recurrence as yet.