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[Association between cerebral infarction and malignant glioma]
A López-González1, I Galeano, A Gutiérrez
1Servicio de Neurocirugía, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, España. anlopezgon@telefonica.net
Revista De Neurologia
|February 8, 2005
Summary
Cerebral infarction can rarely be the first sign of an undetected brain tumor. This case highlights the importance of radiological follow-up for unexplained strokes to rule out underlying glioma.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-oncology
- Vascular Neurology
Background:
- Cerebral infarction as an initial symptom of intracranial tumors is exceptionally rare.
- Only three prior cases link arterial compromise from early-stage high-grade gliomas to cerebral infarction.
Observation:
- A 46-year-old male with no prior medical history presented with acute right-sided hemiplegia and altered consciousness.
- Initial brain imaging revealed a left frontal ischemic infarct with significant mass effect.
- Seven months post-decompressive craniectomy, the patient developed symptoms of increased intracranial pressure, with MRI revealing a glioblastoma multiforme in the infarcted area.
Findings:
- The glioblastoma multiforme, initially radiologically occult, is presumed to have compromised a middle cerebral artery branch, causing the infarct.
- Histological analysis confirmed the lesion as glioblastoma multiforme.
Implications:
- This case underscores the need for vigilant radiological follow-up in patients presenting with cerebral infarction and no identifiable vascular risk factors.
- Early detection of potential underlying tumors like glioma is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.