Gemistocytic Glioblastomas: Review of two Cases

We report two cases of de novo Gemistocytic glioblastomas. In case one, a 35 year male presented with features of raised intracranial pressure and rapid neurological deterioration. In case 2; a 73 year old male presented with rapid neurological deterioration and focal neurological deficits. In both cases imaging findings were suggestive of high grade malignancy involving the brain. This was confirmed as gemistocytic glioblastoma after surgical excision. Gemistocytic cells are large astrocytes with plump processes and massive accumulation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (gemistocytes). Their accumulation within astrocytomas may be due to bcl-2-mediated escape from apoptosis. In literature, exact incidence of these types of lesions is not known and it needs further evaluation.