Early Pulmonary Metastasis After a Surgical Resection of Glioblastoma Multiforme. A Case Report
Diagnostic / therapeutic accidents
Killen H. Briones-Claudett, Mónica H. Briones-Claudett, Freddy Villacrés Garcia, Camilo Ortega Almeida, Andrea Escudero-Requena, Jaime Benítez Solís, Killen H. Briones Zamora, Diana C. Briones Márquez, Michelle Grunauer
Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Guayaquil, Guayaquil, Ecuador
Am J Case Rep 2020; 21:e922976
DOI: 10.12659/AJCR.922976
Available online: 2020-06-09
Published: 2020-07-31

BACKGROUND:
Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most aggressive types of tumors that affect the central nervous system. It has an extremely high morbidity and mortality rate despite immediate treatment and advances in chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. In the natural history of the disease, extracranial metastases of glioblastoma multiforme are a rare complication that can be localized in the lungs, bone, liver, and lymph nodes.
CASE REPORT:
A 66-year-old male presented with pulmonary metastasis after the surgical resection of a primary glioblastoma multiforme tumor. Seventeen days after surgery while in the intensive care unit, the patient had leukocytosis with a predominance of neutrophils. An exploratory bronchoscopy evidenced a white lesion that prevented the visualization of the bronchus. Consequently, a sample was taken for pathological study that demonstrated pulmonary metastasis due to glioblastoma multiforme.
CONCLUSIONS:
Surgical resection of the tumor can precipitate the appearance of extracranial metastases, especially pulmonary metastases.
Keywords: Brain Neoplasms, Glioma, Neoplasm Metastasis