A high-grade glioma metastasis to the thoracic spine: illustrative case and a brief review.

Spinal metastasis of high grade glioma (HGG) is a rare but serious clinical occurrence that can significantly impact patient prognosis and quality of life. Although the majority of HGG metastases are confined intracranially, extracranial spread, including spinal metastasis, has been increasingly recognized in recent years. Spinal involvement may occur through hematogenous spread, direct extension, or cerebrospinal fluid dissemination, with the most common sites being the vertebral bodies and epidural space. The clinical presentation of spinal metastasis often includes worsening back pain and neurological deficits which may require urgent surgery. Authors present a mini review of this important clinical condition with an insight of their own case and possibilities of treatment which is often limited due to the aggressive nature of HGG and the challenging management of spinal metastases. Surgical resection and oncologic therapy still remain the commonly established options to be employed, nevertheless outcomes remain poor and median survival times are generally short. Although rare, spinal metastasis of HGG needs more research in order to better understand the pathophysiology, optimal management strategies and long-term outcomes for affected patients.