Primary Spinal Glioblastoma Mimicking Neuroschistosomiasis: A Case Report

• Published in: Curēus (Palo Alto, CA) Vol. 14; no. 10
• Main Authors: McCallum, Abigail P, Khattar, Nicolas K, Kolikonda, Murali K, Singla, Sushil, Alkhateeb, Khaled J, Schaber, Alexandra S, Arnold, Forest W, Lippman, Steven B, Castillo, Camilo M, Williams, Brian J
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Palo Alto Cureus Inc 13-10-2022; Cureus
• Subjects: Biopsy; Bone cancer; Brain cancer; Case reports; Diagnostic tests; Infectious Disease; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical prognosis; Neurosurgery; Oncology; Patients; Spasticity; Spinal cancer; Spinal cord; Tumors; United States > US
• ISSN: 2168-8184; 2168-8184
• DOI: 10.7759/cureus.30248

Primary glioblastoma of the spinal cord (sGB) is a rare and challenging diagnosis. In the diagnostic algorithm, reversible causes should be considered while the diagnosis of sGB is under evaluation. We present a case of cervical sGB mimicking neuroschistosomiasis.A 21-year-old Somali man presented with neck pain, sensory disturbances, and spastic tetraplegia. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging with contrast showed a heterogeneously enhancing intramedullary mass spanning from the level of the C1 to T3 vertebrae. Cerebrospinal fluid analysis showed a lymphocytic predominance and elevated protein. Due to the patient’s history of poorly treated schistosomiasis, praziquantel and dexamethasone were initiated while the diagnostic work-up was completed. Three days after the patient was discharged to a rehabilitation facility where he experienced worsened motor function with radiographic progression of the lesion and increased cord edema. The patient underwent a surgical biopsy which confirmed a diagnosis of primary sGB.sGB is an unusual diagnosis that can masquerade as a non-neoplastic lesion. However, the diagnosis of sGB should be considered in patients with an intramedullary spinal cord lesion who exhibit rapid radiographic and clinical progression.