gms | German Medical Science

Objective: Glioblastomas are the most common type of brain tumors; astrocytic in their origin, they are anaplastic tumors, and are located mainly in the cerebral hemispheres. Intraspinal highgrade gliomas, which are often described in children, are rare. To the authors' knowledge, little information has been published to date regarding the total occurence and the prognostic impact of clinicopathologic factors. Presents of structured and consentient therapy is not given.

Methods: The clinical course of three patients in age of 21, 61 and 71 years is described. Outcome was compared according to Glasgow-Outcome-Scale, localization, initial therapy and after-treatment (radiation vs. chemotherapy).

Results: Initial symptoms are represented by lumboischialgia, dys- and hypaesthesia as well as ataxia and strong constipation. Diagnostics like MRI or computed tomography displayed intraspinal tumors in cervical (n=2) and thoracic (n=1) spinal cord.

Patients gained laminectomy (n=2) or hemilaminectomy with massreduction of the tumor (n=3) and myelotomy (n=1). Histological preparation revealed malign gliomas like glioblastoma (n=2) and malign astrocytoma WHO Grade III. After initial surgery, 1 patient was treated with radiation therapy alone and 2 received radiation therapy with chemotherapy. Patterns of disease recurrence included, zerebral metastases (n=1), local extension (n=1), and diffuse spread along the neuraxis (n=1). There are two survivors after eight and two month.

Conclusions: The elderly Patient had a shorter survival period compared with younger patients. Patients with combined radiation and chemotherapy had longer survival.