Keywords
abscess - glioblastoma - intracranial - intratumoral - Nocardia - peritumoral
Introduction
Intracerebral abscess associated with glial neoplasm is an infrequent clinical presentation.
Sellar or parasellar tumors may be complicated with intracerebral abscess due to the
direct migration of microorganisms from the paranasal sinuses. However, bacteremia
via hematogenous spread is an unusual course of event complicating an existing glioma
within the brain. The first case of abscess associated with a glioma was reported
by Noguerado et al in 1987.[1] Prior to this case, there were reports of abscess in association with pituitary
adenoma, craniopharyngioma, and metastasis.[2]
[3]
[4] Subsequently, there have been abscess reported with existing meningiomas as well,
probably due to the breached capillary endothelium leading to increased protein permeability.[5] We report two cases of concomitant brain abscess with glioblastoma (GBM) with abscess
occurring peritumorally in one patient and intratumorally in the other patient along
with reviewing the eight previous similar reports in literature.
Case Presentation
Case 1: A 65-year-old male, bricklayer by profession, was referred to our department with
multiple seizures. He was already on antifungals for a month for lung aspergillosis.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was suggestive of a solitary right posterior temporal
lesion, showing T2 hyperintensity, mild diffusion restriction, and ring enhancement
on contrast imaging ([Fig. 1]). Navigation sequence MRI performed within 3 weeks for surgical planning showed
that radiologically there was marked change in the morphology of the lesion. There
were now multiple cerebellar, frontal, and right temporal cystic lesions with marked
central diffusion restriction overlying the earlier ring enhancing mass ([Fig. 2]). In view of the supporting history of lung aspergillosis, a provisional diagnosis
of brain abscess was suspected, and excisional biopsy with debulking was performed
of the cerebellar lesion. Pathology showed Gram-positive filamentous rod organism
suggestive of a Nocardia farcinica abscess ([Fig. 3]). He was started on appropriate antibiotics. After initial clinical improvement,
deterioration occurred within 6 weeks of his initial presentation. MRI showed resolution
of the cerebellar abscess, but the temporal lesions persisted. A temporal surgery
was performed which showed abscess superficially and a densely cellular glial tumor
with pleomorphic astrocytic cells in the deeper component. Microvascular hyperplasia
with Ki-67 score of 30% was diagnostic of a GBM. In view of his poor postoperative recovery
(complicated by liver abscess and iliac vein thrombosis), prolonged need for antibiotics
(3 months intravenous + 3 months oral) and unfavorable molecular profile (methyl guanine
methyl transferase unmethylated and isocitrate dehydrogenase wild-type), he was advised
palliative radiation (RT) (30 Gy in 6# after 6 weeks of diagnosis) while chemotherapy
was withheld. Sadly, he passed away after 13 months of diagnosis.
Fig. 1 (A) T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) axial view showing a solitary lesion
in the right posterior temporal lobe with perilesional edema. (B) Diffusion-weighted image showing mild incomplete restriction in the wall of the
lesion. (C) Postcontrast T1-weighted axial MRI view showing ring enhancement in the lesion.
Fig. 2 (A) T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after 3 weeks showing multicentric
cystic lesions in the right temporal lobe, right frontal lobe, and left cerebellum.
(B) Diffusion-weighted images corresponding to the lesions showing marked restriction
centrally in the superficial cystic lesion and mild restriction in the deep temporal
lesion. (C) Spectroscopy image with the voxel placed frontally showing marked lipid lactate
peak. (D) Spectroscopy image with the voxel placed temporally showing marked choline peak.
Fig. 3 (A) Gram-positive filamentous rod shape organism suggestive of Nocardia (black arrow). (B) Microvascular hyperplasia (blue arrow). (C) Densely cellular glial tumor with pleomorphic astrocytic cells in fibrillary background.
(D) High Ki-67 score of 30%. These features were representative of glioblastoma.
Case 2: A 36-years-old gentleman with no morbidities presented to us with headaches, nausea,
and vomiting for 7 days. Cranial imaging showed a mass in the left frontal lobe with
marked edema and heterogeneous peripheral enhancement ([Fig. 4]). No extracranial lesion was detected on evaluation. As the inflammatory markers
were within normal limits and the diffusion sequence did not show marked restriction,
the multidisciplinary team (MDT) felt that the images were suggestive of high-grade
glioma. Surgical intervention showed thick yellowish fluid in the core of the tumor
which was aspirated and sent for analysis along with the bulk of the lesion. Microbiology
culture showed Enterococcus faecium and histology was suggestive of an ATRX and p53 mutant GBM. He was advised antibiotics
as per culture for 8 weeks after discussion with microbiologist. After the MDT discussion,
it was decided to start him on adjuvant RT (60 Gy in 30#) after 4 weeks of antibiotics
itself as he showed a good clinical recovery with settlement of inflammatory markers.
Temozolomide (TMZ) was started after 6 weeks of antibiotics with concurrent RT for
a month and on its own for five cycles after RT. He returned to work after 6 months
of surgery. No tumor progression or abscess recurrence was seen on last follow-up
of one and a half year after diagnosis.
Fig. 4 (A) (Left to right) Plain computed tomography (CT) head, T2-weighted axial magnetic resonance imaging
(MRI), diffusion-weighted axial MRI, and postcontrast axial MRI showing a mass in
the left frontal lobe with marked edema, mild restriction, and heterogeneous peripheral
enhancement suggestive of high-grade glioma. (B) (Left to right) T1-weighted axial MRI, T2-weighted axial MRI, diffusion-weighted axial MRI, and
postcontrast axial MRI after 18 months of follow-up showing no recurrence or residue.
Discussion
Intracranial infections are known to occur postoperatively after tumor excision. However,
it is uncommon for them to occur together preceding any form of intervention. Initiating
steroids may precipitate immunosuppression resulting in hematogenous spread from the
extracranial foci to the brain. This abscess can then develop either within the tumor,
adjacent to the tumor, or in a distant location as a separate space-occupying lesion.
Abscess developing as collision lesions adjacent to a glial neoplasm, especially a
high-grade glioma, may make it difficult to diagnose both the entities as distinct
pathologies. They may mask the underlying pathology by masquerading as a single lesion
with multifocal/multicentric spread. Another plausible hypothesis can be the presence
of a hemorrhagic tumor, underlying infarct, or extensive perilesional edema. This
disrupts the blood–brain barrier and may lead to provision of a conducive environment
for the proliferation of microorganisms. Shankar et al[6] have reported the occurrence of brain abscess within a posterior fossa tumor secondary
to ventriculoperitoneal shunt infection suggesting the role of foreign body insertion
in their etiology as well. Tumors associated with extensive necrosis can also increase
the chances of superimposed abscess owing to the localized oxygen depletion and resultant
ischemia.
Staphylococcus aureus ([Table 1]) is the most common organism causing the abscess in high-grade gliomas. The routine
risk factors do not differ from those which cause increased susceptibility to isolated
brain abscess, that is, contiguous spread from adjacent structures, namely, paranasal
sinus, dural sinus, nasopharynx, oral cavity, etc. Known extracranial infection foci
leading to distant spread to the brain must be ruled out, namely cardiac valves, lung,
etc.
Table 1
Review of cases with intracranial glioblastoma and concurrent brain abscess
|
Author/
Year
|
Age/Sex
|
Location of GBM
|
Abscess organism
|
Location of abscess
|
Time of diagnosis
|
Treatment
|
Follow-up
|
|
Noguerado et al 1987[1]
|
78/M
|
Occipital lobe
|
Salmonella enteritidis
|
Intratumoral
|
Abscess diagnosed on CSF by LP.
GBM diagnosed on autopsy
|
Antibiotics
|
Expired after 6 weeks of presentation
|
|
Ichikawa et al 1992[11]
|
46/F
|
Frontal lobe
|
Staphylococcus aureus
|
Intratumoral
|
Abscess diagnosed on radiology. GBM diagnosed on surgery after 5 months
|
Antibiotics
RT
|
Expired after 13 months of presentation
|
|
Sarria et al 2000[12]
|
58/F
|
Frontal lobe
|
Salmonella enteritidis
|
Intratumoral
|
Abscess diagnosed on aspiration. GBM diagnosed on surgery after 6 weeks
|
Antibiotics
|
Expired after 52 days of presentation
|
|
Kalita et al 2008[13]
|
57/F
|
Occipital lobe
|
Staphylococcus aureus
|
Intratumoral
|
GBM suspected on radiology. GBM + abscess diagnosed on surgery
|
Antibiotics
RT after 3 weeks of surgery
|
No recurrence at 4 months of follow-up
|
|
Jho et al 2011[14]
|
53/M
|
Temporal lobe
|
Staphylococcus,
Acinetobacter Iwofii,
Propionibacterium
|
Intratumoral
|
GBM suspected on radiology. GBM + abscess diagnosed on surgery
|
Antibiotics.
RT (6o Gy in 33#) after 4 weeks of surgery.
1 cycle TMZ after 12 weeks of surgery
|
Recurrence at 4.5 months – Surgery + 3 cycles of TMZ.
Recurrence at 8.5 months – 12 cycles of irinotecan and bevacizumab
Recurrence at 19.5 months – 2 cycles of TMZ + bevacizumab for 3 weeks.
Recurrence at 22 months – Erlotinib and Sirolimus.
Expired after 2 years of presentation
|
|
Tsugu et al 2012[15]
|
45/M
|
Temporal lobe
|
Anaerobic Gram-negative bacilli
|
Intratumoral
|
GBM suspected on radiology. GBM + abscess diagnosed on surgery
|
Antibiotics
RT (66 Gy) + TMZ (120 mg/day) for 42 days after 4 weeks of surgery
|
Recurrence at 5 months – Surgery + TMZ
Recurrence at 14 months
Expired after 22.5 months of presentation
|
|
Singh et al 2013[16]
|
50/M
|
Fronto-parietal lobe
|
Anaerobic gram-negative bacilli
|
Intratumoral
|
GBM suspected on radiology. GBM + abscess diagnosed on surgery
|
Antibiotics
RT (66 Gy) + TMZ (120 mg/day
for 42 days) after 3 weeks of surgery
|
Not mentioned
|
|
Kishore et al 2018[17]
|
45/F
|
Frontal
|
Enterococcus
|
Intratumoral
|
GBM or abscess suspected on radiology. GBM + abscess diagnosed on surgery
|
Antibiotics
RT + TMZ after 6 weeks of surgery
|
No recurrence at 12 weeks
|
|
Current case, 2021
|
65/M
|
Temporal
|
Nocardia farcinica
|
Peritumoral
|
Abscess suspected on radiology and confirmed on biopsy. GBM+ abscess diagnosed on
second surgery after deep tissue analyzed
|
Antibiotics
Palliative RT (30 Gy in 6#) after 6 weeks of surgery
TMZ withheld
|
Expired after 13 months of diagnosis
|
|
Current case, 2021
|
36/M
|
Frontal
|
Enterococcus faecium
|
Intratumoral
|
GBM suspected on radiology.
GBM + abscess diagnosed on surgery
|
Antibiotics
RT (60 Gy in 30#) after 4 weeks of antibiotics
TMZ after 6 weeks of antibiotics with concurrent RT for a month.
5 cycles of only TMZ
|
No recurrence at 18 months of follow-up
|
Abbreviations: CSF, cerebrospinal fluid; GBM, glioblastoma; LP, lumbar puncture; RT,
radiation; TMZ, Temozolomide.
It is imperative to keep a high index of suspicion for the presence of two concomitant
pathologies in multicentric lesions. MRI is the diagnostic investigation of choice.[7]
[8] On computed tomography scan, both GBMs and abscess show a lesion having iso-/hyperdensity
rim. They enhance on contrast administration and show central hypodensity with marked
mass effect and vasogenic edema. Both show a fairly similar radiological profile on
T1-weighted (hypo-/isointense GBM) and T2-weighted/fluid-attenuated inversion recovery
(hyperintense) sequences of MRI. Diffusion-weighted sequences are imperative to achieve
a more accurate radiological diagnosis. GBM show intermediate restriction while the
central part of brain abscess shows marked restriction. Perfusion scans show that
GBM are hyperperfused while abscess show reduced blood volume. On contrast imaging,
GBM typically show thick, irregularly enhancing margins which can be multifocal. On
the other hand, brain abscess has in its early encapsulation stage a thin enhancing
rim with occasional additional multicentric “daughter” collections. Finally, on spectroscopy,
voxels show peak of choline, lactate, and lipids with reduced N-acetyl aspartate in
GBM, whereas abscess usually show elevated lipid lactate and amino acids peak. Recently,
99mTc-labeled LeukoScan has also been recommended to help in the diagnosis of infection
with a high negative predictive value if performed prior to starting steroid therapy.[9]
In both our patients, we could not diagnose presence of glioma concurrent with abscess
on radiology preoperatively. On retrospective evaluation, performing a spectroscopy
MRI with voxels placed in the multicentric lesions and correlating it with perfusion
and diffusion sequences would probably have helped us diagnose the presence of two
different pathologies.
Surgery is the recommended mode of treatment which not only helps in diagnosis but
also helps relieve the mass effect and reduce infective/tumor burden. The surgical
team must be prepared to send culture specimens as well as formalin mounted pathology
specimens to avoid missing the diagnosis. Although no protocol exists with regards
to adjuvant therapy, the authors recommend tapering the regime based on individual
patient's characteristics, that is, age, performance score, molecular status of the
tumor, spread of the abscess, clinical and radiological response to antibiotics, etc.
This may vary from as less as 4 weeks to as much as 12 weeks to being withheld completely.
Abscess associated with high-grade tumors can have a worse outcome due to the increased
chances of rupture and subsequent meningitis or ventriculitis which can worsen the
preexisting poor prognosis. Mortality rate in multiple Nocardia abscess can be as
high as 66%.[10] Though a possible hypothesis exists of bacteria within the abscess showing preferential
consumption of localized nutrients leading to delay in the progression of tumor,[11] this is yet to be corroborated by evidence-based research.
Among the eight similar reports documented in literature ([Table 1]),[1]
[11]
[12]
[13]
[14]
[15]
[16]
[17] none of the cases were diagnosed as different entities on radiology presurgery.
All but one case showed a solitary organism detected in the abscess. None of the previous
cases show a peritumoral abscess with GBM, nor has a Nocardia farcinica abscess occurring together with GBM been reported earlier. The longest duration of
follow-up mentioned is in a patient with multiorganism abscess along with temporal
lobe GBM who expired after 2 years of follow-up. Adjuvant treatment regime in these
cases included antibiotics only (2/8), antibiotics plus RT only (2/8), and antibiotics
plus RT plus chemotherapy in the remaining 4 cases. RT was started after 3 weeks of
surgery in 2 patients, after 4 weeks of surgery in 2 patients, and after 6 weeks of
surgery in 1 patient. There was no mention of the timing of RT therapy in one case.
TMZ was delayed till after 12 weeks of surgery in only one patient while in the remaining
three patients who received it, TMZ was given along with the RT.
Conclusion
High-grade glioma presenting with a coexistent brain abscess is a very rare occurrence.
The key challenge is to identify the two pathologies prior to surgery. Diffusion-weighted
MRI, perfusion sequences and spectroscopy are essential to help make an early diagnosis.
The authors recommend an individually tailored holistic approach in deciding to balance
delayed or partial adjuvant oncological treatment with aggressive antimicrobial treatment.
Documenting of cases with their follow-up outcomes will help in formulating appropriate
guidelines with regards to adjuvant plan.
