Wallenberg syndrome in a patient after pulmonary resection: a case report

Abstract

BackgroundCerebral infarction after pulmonary resection is a minor but critical complication. We report a rare case of postoperative complication of Wallenberg syndrome caused by cerebral infarction in the posterior inferior cerebral artery after the left upper lobectomy.Case presentationA 72-year-old man developed cerebral infarction 2 days after a left upper lobectomy for lung cancer. Magnetic resonance imaging indicated right vertebral artery occlusion following an early ischemic area on the right lateral side of the medulla oblongata and cerebellum. Contrast-enhanced computed tomography revealed no thrombus in the left superior pulmonary vein stump. The patient was diagnosed with Wallenberg syndrome, and prompt anticoagulation therapy was initiated. The patient was discharged and transferred to another hospital for rehabilitation on postoperative day 16.ConclusionsWe present a rare case of Wallenberg syndrome occurring in the posterior inferior cerebral artery area due to vertebral artery occlusion after lobectomy. Because cerebral infarction of the posterior circulation has many similar symptoms due to the side effects of anesthetic drugs, careful physical examination is required to determine Wallenberg syndrome.