Abstract

Abstract Surgery is the initial form of treatment for glioblastoma, and a maximum resection without impairing neurological function improves survival. Wounded Glioma Syndrome (WGS) is a clinical picture observed after the resection of high-grade tumors. This syndrome, developing within hours or a few days after glioma surgery, is characterized by hemorrhage into the surgical bed and cerebral edema, and at times occurring in areas distant from the site of the resection, i.e., Distant WGS. We report a case of an elderly male presenting with an acute-onset left leg weakness, with a large peripherally-enhancing mass with central non-enhancement suggestive of necrosis in the right frontal lobe. A gross total resection of the tumor was done, and the histopathologic evaluation yielded a high-grade glioma, favoring a diagnosis of Glioblastoma WHO Grade-IV. During the postoperative period, he was drowsy and was able to move the right extremities. He had a series of generalized tonic-clonic seizures three hours after the operation. After eight hours, the patient became comatose with signs of increasing intracranial pressure. A cranial CT revealed diffuse cerebral edema, and hemorrhage into the operative site in the right frontal lobe, as well as subarachnoid hemorrhages in the bilateral fronto-parietal sulci. There were also small hemorrhages seen in the left caudate head, midbrain and left hemipons. Death occurred the following day. This case report demonstrates an unusual case of a WGS with a concurrent Distant WGS in the brainstem after a gross total resection of a frontal lobe glioma. This case shows a significant uncommon sequela that a patient undergoing glioma surgery can present, leading to rapid deterioration and death. Resection of a glioma carries a significant risk, and its impact in the immediate postoperative period merits evaluation when planning the perioperative management, taking prompt action if these syndromes occur.

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