Radiation-induced glioma presenting as diffuse leptomeningeal gliomatosis: A case report

Background Leptomeningeal gliomatosis is a rare and fatal disease. Methods Case report. Results We report the case of a man who was presented with severe intractable headaches, lymphocytic CSF pleocytosis, and spinal leptomeningeal enhancement on contrast MRI. Meningeal biopsy demonstrated diffuse infiltration by malignant glial cells, and symptom alleviation was achieved by CSF diversion. He later developed an enhancing thalamic tumor arising within the treatment field of a remotely irradiated pituitary adenoma. Subsequent management included chemotherapy and further radiotherapy with transient response, before death from leptomeningeal and parenchymal tumor progression 16 months after diagnosis. Conclusion We report a unique case embodying two rare conditions: radiation induced glioma and leptomeningeal gliomatosis. Our patient's course is novel in that symptomatic relief was achieved with CSF diversion and a combination of chemotherapy and focal radiation allowed prolonged survival.